House Speaker Mike Johnson has called on President Joe Biden to take immediate executive action on immigration reform rather than waiting for congressional intervention. Johnson criticized the emerging immigration deal, claiming it would allow as many as 150,000 illegal crossings each month. The GOP speaker argued that Biden has the authority to address the border crisis through executive measures, citing Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and a 2017 Supreme Court ruling.
Criticism of the Immigration Deal
Conservatives, including Johnson, have expressed concerns about the proposed immigration deal, asserting that it still permits too many border crossings. While the bill’s advocates dispute the claim, Johnson emphasized the need for executive action to reverse the current situation, which he referred to as a “catastrophe.”
Executive Action Recommendations
Johnson outlined specific measures for the Biden administration to implement immediately, including ending catch-and-release, ceasing the exploitation of parole authority, reinstating the Remain in Mexico program, expanding the use of expedited removal authority, and renewing the construction of the border wall initiated during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Biden’s Call for Congressional Action
President Biden recently urged Congress to pass a bipartisan law addressing immigration issues at the southern border. However, Johnson dismissed the possibility of the bipartisan deal gaining approval in the House, stating that it would be “dead on arrival.”
Strongest Stance Yet
Biden’s statement supporting the bipartisan deal marked his administration’s strongest stance on immigration policy. The proposed reforms include new emergency authority for the president to shut down the border in overwhelmed situations.
Trump’s Perspective
Former President Donald Trump also weighed in on the border deal, emphasizing that a bad deal is worse than having no deal at all. The border crisis continues to be a contentious issue, with calls for immediate executive action to secure the border and address the increasing number of illegal crossings.
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