House Democrats Urge Biden to Ensure Security at the US Border

House Democrats are urging President Joe Biden to take action to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, accusing Republicans of using the crisis for political gain instead of addressing the national security issue.

“It has become clear that the current situation remains untenable, but with Republicans playing politics on border security, it is time for your administration to act,” the letter from 15 Democrats stated. “We urge you to use all tools at your disposal, including executive action, to address security at the Southern border, interdict illicit fentanyl, and facilitate orderly legal immigration.”

The signatories of the letter included lawmakers from Minnesota, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, among others.

This comes after more than 80 lawmakers signed a letter the day before, urging Biden to “take all available actions to streamline pathways to lawful status for undocumented immigrants” before the November election.

“Deporting all such individuals — as former President Donald Trump has threatened to do if reelected — would devastate the American economy and destroy American families,” they emphasized.

Responding to the letter, White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández told CBS News that “congressional Republicans chose to prioritize partisan politics over national security and rejected the needs expressed by border agents.”

“We continue to urge Speaker Johnson and House Republicans to pass the bipartisan deal to secure the border,” he added.