Bidens Border Shutdown Claims: Fact Check and Political Implications

President Bidens recent statements about shutting down the US-Mexico border have sparked controversy. We examine the context, political motivations, and policy considerations behind these claims.

President Joe Biden has recently made bold statements about potentially shutting down the US-Mexico border in an effort to secure a border deal in Congress and unlock funding for Ukraine. This deal, which had been in the works for months, faced setbacks due to opposition from Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump. Biden emphasized the importance of a bipartisan bill to address America's broken immigration system and provide swift access to those who deserve to be in the country. He also highlighted the emergency authority he would gain to shut down the border if necessary.

Political Motivations Behind Biden's Tough Talk

Biden's assertive stance on border control can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, he seeks to secure continued funding for Ukraine amidst Russia's invasion. Senate Republicans initially linked additional funding for Kyiv to a border management deal. By embracing efforts to reach a bipartisan border security agreement, Biden aims to address concerns about immigration, which is becoming a significant issue for Americans ahead of the presidential election.

Understanding the Proposed Border Shutdown

Contrary to some assumptions, a border shutdown under the proposed deal would not entail a complete halt to trade or movement of citizens and legal residents. Instead, Biden refers to an expulsion authority being negotiated by lawmakers. This authority would automatically activate when illegal border crossings exceed an average of 5,000 over five days across the Southern border, which currently experiences up to 10,000 crossings daily. The authority would suspend asylum screenings for those crossing illegally, while migrants could still apply at ports of entry until crossings drop below 3,750 per day. These figures are subject to further refinement.

Additionally, efforts are underway to streamline the processing of asylum cases. The current system can take several years to resolve a case, leading to the release of many migrants into the country while they await resolution. Republicans view this as a factor motivating additional migrants to come to the US. The goal is to reduce the resolution time to six months and raise the standards for asylum eligibility. While the current broad standards aim to ensure that potential asylum seekers are not excluded, critics argue that the system is being misused.

Trump's Border Shutdown Threats

Biden's recent statements echo those of former President Donald Trump, who advocated for a complete shutdown of the US-Mexico border, including trade and traffic, to pressure Mexico into curbing migration. However, Trump did not follow through on this threat. His closest attempt came during the pandemic when he used emergency powers to severely restrict asylum, but trade and traffic continued.

Biden's adoption of Trump-like rhetoric, despite his previous criticism of Trump's inhumane border policies, reflects the growing public concern about illegal migration. However, this stance risks alienating progressive supporters who believe Biden has shifted too far right on border policies.

Biden's Authority to Shut Down the Border

Some argue that presidents already possess sufficient authority to address illegal border crossings. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally and critic of the proposed deal, contends that presidents can limit asylum claims and restrict crossings. However, such efforts would likely face legal challenges and could be blocked or curtailed without congressional support for the proposed changes.

Prospects for the Proposed Deal

The outlook for the proposed deal appears bleak. Despite hopes of releasing detailed text this week, conservatives have expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that the measures do not go far enough to limit immigration. Key figures, such as Speaker Johnson and Senator James Lankford, have voiced opposition, suggesting that the deal may not gain traction in Congress.

The influence of Donald Trump, who opposes the deal and sees it as a potential victory for Biden, further complicates matters. Trump's determination to prevent Biden from achieving success on an issue that fueled the Republicans' successful 2016 campaign and remains central to his own presidential aspirations casts doubt on the deal's prospects.