Biden Contemplating Executing Border Action Through Executive Powers, Reports Say

The Biden administration is considering using executive orders to address the migrant crisis at the southern border, NBC News reported.

Conservative lawmakers have been saying that President Joe Biden has the power to improve border security and that legislation, such as the Senate bipartisan bill announced Sunday, is not required.

Two U.S. officials told NBC News that executive plans have been under consideration for months, and that doing nothing is not an option. However, the measures still are being drafted and are not expected to be implemented any time soon.

The officials added that any executive action would pale in comparison to the effects that would have occurred if Congress had taken action.

“It’s a plan B,” an official said, NBC News reported Wednesday night.

The U.S. Senate on Sunday unveiled a $118 billion bipartisan border security bill that would also provide aid to Ukraine and Israel following months of negotiations.

However, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said the bill was “worse than expected” and “dead on arrival” in the House.

December saw a record with more than 302,000 migrant encounters at the southern border. The total easily surpassed the old record of 269,700 set in September 2023.

The House on Tuesday attempted and failed to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for failing to control the influx of migrants at the border. Johnson said Wednesday there will be another vote to impeach Mayorkas, likely next week.

News of the administration considering executive action likely will upset progressives but could please Democrat mayors in major cities, to where many migrants have been transported.

In late December, the Democrat mayors of Chicago, New York and Denver renewed pleas for more federal help and coordination with Texas over the growing number of asylum-seekers arriving in their cities by bus and airplane.

In May, DHS introduced restrictions that made more migrants eligible for speedy deportations. However, the vast majority of migrants apprehended by border agents continued to be released into the U.S. due to the overwhelming numbers.

Even Democrats have blasted Biden over his handling of the border as he runs for reelection.

NBC News poll results released Sunday showed that he trails his former President Donald Trump, the likely front-runner for the GOP nomination, by more than 30 points on securing the border and controlling immigration.