In a recent interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Senator Lindsey Graham asserted that the United States is “full” and urgently needs a solution for the increasing surge of migrants at the Southern border. Graham emphasized the importance of addressing the legal limbo faced by asylum-seeking migrants waiting for their cases to be resolved.
The South Carolina Republican proposed a solution involving the mass deportation of approximately 1.7 million people, asserting that such action would discourage further attempts to enter the country. Graham also advocated for the reinstatement of Title 42 authority, a public health law used during the COVID-19 pandemic to expedite the removal of undocumented immigrants. He labeled these measures as straightforward responses to the current immigration challenges.
Title 42, originating from a World War II-era law, allowed for the expulsion of migrants on public safety grounds, temporarily bypassing legal protections for asylum seekers. The policy came to an end in May 2023.
Graham placed blame on President Joe Biden’s policies, stating that the current situation is a predictable outcome of decisions made after Biden assumed office. Efforts in Washington to address immigration issues have faced challenges, with disagreements between Democrats and Republicans hindering the approval of supplemental aid for countries like Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
Graham, a supporter of international aid for U.S. allies, emphasized that resolving immigration concerns is a top priority before considering additional aid initiatives. He expressed reluctance to discuss providing aid to other countries while the border situation remains unresolved.
Following Graham’s interview, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston also acknowledged the immigration surge as a crisis. However, their focus shifted to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, accusing him of shipping migrants to cities governed by Democrats without proper coordination.
Both mayors emphasized the need for structured and coordinated responses to the humanitarian crisis, criticizing Abbott for sowing chaos. They highlighted the importance of receiving migrants in a humane and coordinated manner, expressing concern about individuals arriving in the middle of the night without proper support.
Graham concluded the interview by stating his belief that former President Donald Trump, if returned to the White House, would implement robust measures to address illegal immigration, including mass deportations.
The statement by Graham about the U.S. being “full” echoed a tweet from Trump in April 2019, emphasizing the need for Mexico to prevent illegal immigration to avoid potential border closures or tariffs.
COMMENTS