Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, has indicated that progress is being made in Senate negotiations on immigration and border policy, with a potential deal expected to be released this week. The bipartisan talks, which also involve Senators Chris Murphy and Kyrsten Sinema, aim to toughen asylum laws and address House Republicans' demands for stricter migration restrictions. The negotiations are crucial for passing new aid to Ukraine and avoiding a government shutdown, with both chambers of Congress and the White House needing to agree on the legislation. House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed optimism about reaching a deal to prevent a shutdown, while emphasizing the House's commitment to its own border bill, H.R. 2.
On CBS's "Face the Nation," Margaret Brennan and Speaker Mike Johnson clashed over the GOP's efforts to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Johnson accused Mayorkas of failing to enforce border laws and lying to Congress, while Brennan questioned the prioritization of impeachment over addressing border issues. The House Homeland Security Committee has been investigating Mayorkas for alleged dereliction of duty and is preparing to hold impeachment hearings. Mayorkas has been a key figure in Senate negotiations for a bipartisan border policy deal, which has been a point of contention in the impeachment debate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is contemplating direct discussions with President Joe Biden regarding Ukraine aid and U.S. border policy due to slow progress in the Senate on a bipartisan immigration policy compromise. This compromise is a prerequisite set by Republicans for the approval of Biden's proposed $61 billion emergency aid for Ukraine. Despite ongoing efforts, a deal has not been reached, as confirmed by Senator Chris Murphy.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has indicated that the expected impeachment inquiry into Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is part of a broader examination of the Biden administration's border policies. During an interview, Jordan emphasized that any impeachment decision will be fact-driven, following the announcement of upcoming impeachment hearings against Mayorkas by the House Homeland Security Committee. The hearings are a response to what some GOP members describe as Mayorkas's "dereliction of duty" in managing the U.S. southern border situation. Jordan, along with other Republicans, visited the border to underscore their concerns.
Suburbs and smaller cities near Chicago and New York are pushing back against the arrival of migrants from the southern border, a situation exacerbated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott's initiative to transport over 80,000 migrants to Democratic-led cities. Local officials, facing unexpected drop-offs and lacking resources, have taken measures such as warning signs, impounding buses, and threatening to return migrants to the border. The influx has led to a strain on these communities, with some migrants being left without basic necessities. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges and political tensions surrounding immigration and border security in the United States.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham declared the country "full" and advocated for the deportation of 1.7 million migrants to deter further immigration. He urged President Biden to reinstate Title 42, a WWII-era policy used to expel migrants during the Covid pandemic. Graham emphasized the need to address immigration before providing international aid and predicted mass deportations if Trump were reelected. Meanwhile, Democratic mayors from Chicago and Denver criticized Texas Governor Abbott for sending migrants to their cities without proper coordination, calling for a structured and humanitarian approach to the immigration crisis.
