President Joe Biden speaks in New York on May 2, 2024. Credit: Fotocuts/Shutterstock
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy made clear this week that, while he understands his party leader’s plight, he believes temporary action on immigration issues at the border is not a stable solution.
In a move many consider surprising, President Joe Biden issued an executive order on Tuesday that will allow the temporary closure of the border – for immigrants entering the country – between the United States and Mexico.
Murphy, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security subcommittee, said in a statement that the “asylum and immigration system is broken.”
“For years, Republicans and Democrats have recognized that our asylum and immigration system is broken. That is why every recent president, including President Trump, has asked Congress to update these laws,” he said.
The action comes after several years in which Congress failed to pass meaningful legislation to address problems with the country’s borders and immigration issues, and the president has reportedly said he would prefer more lasting action through legislation , but that the collapse of a border security system The agreement at the hands of the Republican Party has tied its hands.
“The Republicans have left me no choice,” Biden told The KeynoteUSA.
Murphy said Congress’s inability to make meaningful changes regarding the condition of the southern border – which he blamed on Republicans – is infuriating.
“Instead of working with Democrats to solve the problem, (Republicans) have ensured that we have more of a dysfunctional status quo when Americans want the exact opposite,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said in a statement that she applauded the president’s efforts to try to secure the border, and that Republicans have undermined any lasting changes that could be achieved through significant legislative efforts.
“It is essential that we strengthen border security and limit illegal border crossings. President Biden and Democrats are working to secure our border while expanding safe and legal pathways for migration,” DeLauro said.
Murphy, however, expressed doubts about the legality of the Biden administration’s decision.
“I understand the position the administration is in, but I am skeptical that the executive branch has the legal authority to single-handedly shut down asylum processing between ports of entry,” Murphy said. “Meaningful asylum reform requires a bipartisan solution in Congress. Americans want us to fix our broken immigration and asylum system. “They want a secure border, but they also want a path to citizenship for Dreamers and ways for people to come to this country legally.”
Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement Tuesday that the Biden administration’s actions show its commitment to securing the border, but that Congress must also pass legislation proposed by Murphy that would allow immigration cases to be resolved more quickly.
“Importantly, these actions differ from the previous administration’s policies by ensuring that migrant children remain with their families and providing exceptions for unaccompanied minors and victims of trafficking,” Lamont said. “President Biden’s actions build on previous efforts to crack down on drug trafficking, increase border enforcement, restrict visas for those who benefit from illegal migration, and expedite resolutions of immigration cases.”
However, Lamont said the most effective way to secure the border is legislative action.
“President Biden is fulfilling his responsibilities and now is the time for Republicans in Congress to do the same,” Lamont said.
Republicans in the Connecticut General Assembly also offered their thoughts on Biden’s order.
Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, said in a statement that he questions why Biden’s action took as long as it did.
“Connecticut is not immune to the growing effects of illegal immigration. The governor’s State Emergency Manager has publicly stated that his team has been trying to “coordinate this chaos as best we can,” Harding said, adding that legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2019, which he said no Republicans supported, prohibits cities from cooperating. with immigration authorities and makes those cities less safe.
Additionally, he opposed a proposal during this year’s brief session to change the appearance of driver-only licenses – typically used by undocumented immigrants – so that they are nearly identical to a typical state driver’s license.
None of the potential Republican candidates to challenge Murphy this year, nominee Gerry Smith or primary challenger Matt Corey, were immediately available for comment.
Keynote USA
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