Former President Donald Trump admitted on Tuesday to sabotaging the bipartisan border security bill in Congress because it was “better for the opposing side [Democrats].”
Foreign Aid Bill
On February 13, the U.S. Senate voted 70 to 29 in favor of a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill.
Funds Allocation
The bill includes $60 billion to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel, $9.2 billion in humanitarian aid, and $4.8 billion to support regional partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
Failed Security Bill
However, an earlier $106 billion bill, which included $13.6 billion for enhanced border security, failed to garner bipartisan support.
Border Security Enhancements
The bill’s funding aimed to enhance Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts, improve processing capacity and court operations, and provide legal support for migrants at the southern border.
Border Closing Power
The bill could also empower the Biden administration to close the border if specific thresholds for daily border crossings are reached.
“No Border Deal”
Trump, the Republican frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election, along with other right-wing Republicans, criticized the border security bill.
“A bad border deal is far worse than no border deal,” Trump wrote on Truth Social in late January.
Fear of Trump
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attributed the bill’s failure to Trump’s opposition. He said, “They’re [Republicans] quaking at the knees in fear of Donald Trump.”
Potential Benefit
During a Fox News Town Hall on Tuesday with host Laura Ingraham, Trump stated his opposition to the bill because it could benefit Democrats.
Ingraham asked the former president, “Why were you against the Senate border deal.”
Better for Opposing Side
Trump said, “Well, they allow 5,000 people a week. Number one that, but it also made it much better for the opposing side [Democrats].”
“Migrant Crime”
He added, “I don’t know if you’ve heard this, but I came up with this one: migrant crime. There’s crime, there’s violent crime, there’s migrant crime. We have a new category of crime; it’s called migrant crime, and it’s going to be worse than any other form of crime.”
False Assertion
Trump’s assertion regarding 5,000 migrants is incorrect. The failed bill aimed to terminate the practice of “catch and release,” wherein Border Patrol agents release migrants into the U.S. pending immigration hearings.
Deport within 15 Days
Instead, individuals attempting to cross the border unlawfully would face immediate detention, with their asylum petitions adjudicated during detention. Those failing their asylum interviews would be promptly deported within 15 days.
Campaign Theme
Analysts argue that Trump has made immigration reform and border security a central plank of his election campaign.
“A Good Issue”
Christopher John Matthews, a political commentator, told MSNBC, “The thing is that the Republicans and Trump will still benefit from the border issue,” adding, “He’s clearly anti-immigrant, and clearly that’s a good issue for him.”
Poisoning the Blood
Trump has consistently vocalized his stance against immigration, emphasizing its detrimental effects on the nation. Last month, he said, “They’re poisoning the blood of our country.”
Deportation Strategy
The former president has also outlined a comprehensive strategy aimed at drastically ramping up the deportation of immigrants residing in the U.S. without authorization if he wins the presidency again.
Enforcement Expansion
Trump proposes an aggressive mobilization of ICE, alongside other federal and local law enforcement agencies, to enhance the deportation of undocumented immigrants, as per Axios’
Building Wall
In his first presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton, Trump made immigration the central theme of his campaign, promising to build a wall at the southern border. He also made controversial remarks that faced severe backlash.
“They’re Rapists”
In June 2015, at the presidential bid announcement, Trump said, “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
Tremendous Crime
“I can never apologize for the truth. I don’t mind apologizing for things. But I can’t apologize for the truth. I said tremendous crime is coming across,” he said in July 2015.
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