Trump and Allies Rally Opposition, Political Tensions in Election Year Risk Border Deal
TL/DR –
Negotiators in the U.S. Congress are working on a bipartisan immigration and border deal to unlock Republican support for Ukraine aid. Former U.S. President Donald Trump and his hard-right supporters are vocally opposing the deal, calling for more sweeping concessions. The resulting political dynamics, similar to those seen in 2013 and 2018 when attempts to reform U.S. immigration law were thwarted, could impact not only U.S. immigration and border law but also aid to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
A political dynamic challenges US immigration reform
US congressional negotiators are facing opposition from the hard right and former President Donald Trump as they seek to reach a bipartisan agreement on border measures and immigration. This resistance threatens to undermine the proposed compromise, further complicating what is already a politically sensitive issue.
Saturday revealed that senators are moving towards a deal that could secure Republican support for Ukraine aid. However, this agreement is under threat as House Speaker Mike Johnson is dealing with pressure to demand more concessions from Democrats and the White House.
Trump’s recent social media post stated that he opposes any Border Deal that doesn’t address the “INVASION” of migrants. This stance, along with the upcoming election where illegal immigration is a key focus of Trump’s campaign, has made the legislative pathway uncertain.
Despite the policy negotiations leaning heavily towards Republicans, the deal still faces skepticism from conservatives. This situation poses a potential turning point for US immigration and border laws and the future of Ukraine.
President Joe Biden has been urging lawmakers to approve the deal. Amidst the historic number of migrants at the US-Mexico border, Biden has been seen as politically vulnerable, something highlighted in Iowa’s Republican caucuses last week.
Democrats remain divided on the Senate proposal. Progressive and Hispanic lawmakers are opposing changes that would toughen the asylum process, whilst others argue that Republicans aren’t truly committed to resolving border issues.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell advocates for the deal, viewing the border package, paired with Biden’s request for war aid for Ukraine, as an opportunity to get stronger policies passed.
The Senate’s proposed package aims to harden the asylum process to decrease the number of migrants making an asylum claim at the southern border. The deal could also provide a pathway to citizenship for Afghans who arrived during the US withdrawal, and work permits for asylum seekers.
However, this agreement mostly leaves out wider immigration changes that had been key in previous Senate bills. “It will be the most conservative border security bill in four decades,” says Senator James Lankford, the top Republican negotiator.
The hardline House bill, H.R. 2, passed without any Democrat support in May, has been proposed as a solution by Johnson. This bill aims to significantly curb illegal immigration.
Despite facing threats from Trump and far-right House members, Johnson showed some support for the legislative push after a recent meeting at the White House. However, his next move still remains uncertain.
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