The Senate has unveiled a $118 billion package aimed at addressing issues related to the southern border while providing aid for Ukraine and Israel.
On Sunday, legislators announced a $118 billion proposal. This includes a much-anticipated bipartisan agreement to tackle issues at the southern border and provide extra support to Ukraine, Israel, and other U.S. allies. However, the plan might face challenges in the House, where Republican leaders have swiftly criticized it.
There has been speculation for months about this agreement. With the release of the bill’s details, leaders—including those Republicans who had earlier opposed it—now have the chance to evaluate the legislation independently.
Senator Chuck Schumer, the leader of Senate Democrats, has announced plans to discuss the new law this week, citing widespread support among Senators. However, the agreement has faced strong criticism from notable figures, including former President Donald Trump and other Republican leaders. The likelihood of the law passing in Congress remains uncertain.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, strongly criticized the bill on Sunday, saying it’s “even worse than expected” and declaring it would be a non-starter if it reaches the House. Additionally, Republican Senator Mike Lee from Utah expressed immediate disapproval, stating, “I cannot understand how any Republican would think this was a good idea.”
Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma is advising fellow lawmakers to take their time and carefully consider the proposal before making decisions. He suggests, “Let’s work through the process and see who actually supports this.”
In a statement on Sunday night, President Biden expressed strong support for the plan, calling it the “toughest and fairest set of border reforms in decades.” Senate Majority Leader Schumer sees it as a significant step, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell views it as offering “direct and immediate solutions.” He urges the Senate to carefully think about the opportunity and be prepared to take action.
With people from both sides urging lawmakers to find common ground on southern border issues, here’s a breakdown of what you should know about the Senate’s deal.
The latest details of the Senate’s border agreement.
The latest plan aims to make it tougher for people to qualify for asylum and increase the capacity to hold them. However, if migrants have a legitimate reason to stay, they can still work in the country.
Approximately $20 billion is being considered to support the Department of Homeland Security in catching, processing, housing, and moving migrants. The plan also streamlines the process of hiring more personnel.
The objective is to put an end to “catch and release,” where migrants are released into the U.S. while waiting for their asylum application. Instead, they would be held in custody until their claims are assessed. Additionally, there is a new option for migrants to fly back to their home countries, with the U.S. government covering the cost if they choose to return.
The latest agreement aims to increase the yearly number of visas eligible for green cards and ensures that the children of H1-B visa holders can obtain green cards once they turn 18. Additionally, it provides a pathway to citizenship for Afghans who left their country after the Taliban takeover, similar to the Afghan Adjustment Act.
A contentious part of the plan involves a three-year policy. If the weekly average of expulsions and apprehensions of migrants at the border reaches 4,000, the processing of asylum applications for those who crossed illegally would stop. The shutdown becomes mandatory if the weekly average goes up to 5,000 or more.
In December, there were 302,034 encounters at the southern border, averaging 9,743 per day, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
During the shutdown period, immediate deportations would occur for migrants caught crossing illegally. However, the asylum process would continue for those attempting entry at official ports. The border reopens when the number of illegal crossings slows down or after a specific number of days pass in each of the three years.
Senator John Lankford, the lead GOP negotiator, anticipates potential criticism for this aspect of the deal, explaining that it’s designed to process more people quickly, but deportations occur when the system is overwhelmed.
As the 2024 election cycle gained momentum, former President Trump urged House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans to reject the deal. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, not known for his alignment with Trump, acknowledged that the former president intended to emphasize border security in his 2024 campaign.
Despite internal party resistance, President Biden has increased his backing for the package, promising swift action to “shut down” the southern border if Congress approves it. Johnson, however, has declared the package “dead on arrival,” insisting that Biden could address unauthorized migration without Congress, although experts suggest additional powers may be necessary. He also urged Senate colleagues to consider the House’s strict border bill, H.R. 2, which lacked Democratic support.
Opposition to the Senate proposal extends beyond House Republicans; the Congressional Hispanic Caucus criticized Biden’s support, advocating for further reforms to establish a safe, legal path to citizenship for migrants. Caucus Chair Rep. Nanette Barragán expressed disagreement with Biden’s assertion that the reported policies are ‘fair’ and could potentially worsen issues without offering long-term solutions. She fears the deal, if passed, might delay real comprehensive immigration reform for a decade or more.
Opposition from House of Representatives members of the Republican Party and Hispanic lawmakers.
For several months, there’s been talk in Congress about a plan. Initially, Republicans wanted border security rules in exchange for supporting aid to Ukraine. However, as the upcoming election nears, former President Trump urged Republicans to reject the plan. Even Senate Minority Leader McConnell, not known for being a big Trump supporter, agreed that Trump would focus on border security in the 2024 campaign.
Despite some Republicans not liking the plan, President Biden is now backing it more strongly. He promised to take quick action and “shut down” the southern border if Congress approves it, saying it’s necessary to address the border crisis.
House Speaker Mike Johnson isn’t a fan of the plan and believes it won’t succeed. He thinks Biden can handle border issues without Congress. Johnson is also encouraging Senate colleagues to consider a different border bill from the House, which didn’t get any support from Democrats.
However, it’s not just House Republicans opposing the plan. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including some Democrats, disagrees with Biden’s support. They argue that more changes are needed to create a safe way for migrants to become citizens. They’re concerned that if this plan passes, it might make things worse without solving the real problems, setting back immigration reform for many years.