Explainer-What Republicans and Democrats want to do on US-Mexico border security
By Ted Hesson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Republicans in the U.S. Congress are blocking emergency funding for Ukraine and threatening to force a government shutdown in an effort to tighten security along the U.S.-Mexico border.
WHY ARE REPUBLICANS FOCUSING ON BORDER SECURITY?
Record numbers of migrants have been caught illegally crossing the border since Democratic President Joe Biden took office in 2021.
The U.S. Border Patrol arrested about 2 million migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2023, similar to record-breaking totals during Biden's first two years in office.
During Republican Donald Trump's 2017-2021 presidency, migrant arrests peaked at 852,000 in fiscal year 2019.
Republicans say Biden has encouraged migrants by loosening Trump-era restrictions. They also oppose new Biden policies that allow certain migrants to enter legally for humanitarian reasons, saying they circumvent standard immigration channels.
Immigration is a top concern for conservative voters ahead of the Nov. 5 elections that will decide control of the White House and Congress. Biden is seeking a second term and Trump is the leading candidate for his party's nomination.
WHAT DO REPUBLICANS WANT AT THE BORDER?
Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, has said Biden needs to reinstate Trump policies and crack down on border crossings.
Johnson also has called on the Democratic-led Senate to approve a bill passed by the House in May that would effectively end access to asylum at the border.
The measure, known as H.R. 2, passed with broad Republican support but with no backing from Democrats. The bill has not come to a vote in the Senate, where it would face steep Democratic opposition.
The White House has said Biden would veto the
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