Biden Promises Border Security Legislation, Skepticism from Insiders

President Joe Biden is suggesting that there may be another attempt to pass border security legislation, but skeptical officials believe this is just empty talk.

According to a report by Politico, discussions about reviving a bipartisan border compromise that senators reached in February have been non-existent. Some believe that it is unlikely that any progress will be made on border security before November.

An unnamed immigration advocate told the outlet, “They pulled a rabbit out of a hat on Ukraine, but there’s no chance they’re getting anything out of Mike Johnson’s House on border security. They’ve known that since December when they realized they had to count votes in the House. There’s no chance of legislation on this, and they know that. It’s just empty talk.”

After GOP lawmakers rejected the initial compromise bill, Biden considered the option of using executive action to undo some of his earlier executive orders regarding Trump’s border policies.

Last week, Biden claimed that he had proposed, negotiated, and agreed to the strongest border security bill in the country’s history. Despite this, the bill was not included in the foreign aid package, and he is determined to get it done for the American people.

However, Politico reports that there have been no efforts to restart discussions behind the scenes, partly because the White House believes that the migration crisis has stabilized for now.

According to Politico, any new attempt at Senate action would encounter the same challenges as before: opposition from former President Donald Trump and dim prospects in a GOP-controlled House.

As a result, the White House is considering new executive actions. An administration official told Politico, “I think everything is tentative. Nothing is set in stone.”

The administration is reportedly working on an executive action that would involve using a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent migrants from seeking asylum between U.S. ports of entry. They are also looking at ways to make it harder for migrants to pass the initial asylum screening and to expedite the deportation of those who do not meet the elevated asylum standards.

This plan is expected to be implemented when border numbers increase again.

Another source told Politico, “Unless something is happening at the border, people don’t pay as much attention. Otherwise, it would be like a tree falling in the forest with no one to hear it.”

Some Democrats are concerned that Biden has not effectively differentiated himself from Trump on immigration, according to an immigration poll cited by Politico. Others in the administration worry that this could lead to more political backlash on a challenging issue for Biden, especially if border numbers rise again.

An unnamed former administration official told Politico, “The conversation is likely centered around whether there is a political consequence to this, or if we should wait for a second term. This idea does not have an expiration date. He could consider it in the future when there may be more political opportunity.”