Advisers to President Biden have recently departed from his administration due to concerns over his handling of the border crisis. According to The New York Times, there was a divide within the White House between those advocating for stricter border security and those advocating for looser restrictions on immigration.
In 2021, President Biden increased the number of Haitians allowed to stay in the United States after fleeing violence. However, the administration also stated that they would use Title 42 to send them back if there was a surge of Haitian migrants. This approach made some question whether President Biden fulfilled his campaign promises.
Daniel Foote, previously appointed as Biden’s envoy to Haiti, stepped down in response to the repatriation of Haitians. Foote shared his disillusionment, noting, “Initially, the promise was to eliminate policies from the Trump era. However, it became apparent that such measures were deemed necessary to control migration.” Additionally, other advisers who sought to influence President Biden through appeals to his humanitarian instincts have departed from the administration, disheartened. Those who have stayed on continue to emphasize to the president the importance of addressing the escalating crisis at the border and the imperative for stronger enforcement measures.
President Biden and members of Congress have recently engaged in discussions about border security legislation, with the president aiming to link it to aid for Ukraine. On Friday, President Biden highlighted ongoing negotiations in the Senate, responding to GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson’s statement that the bill would be “dead on arrival” in the House. President Biden touted the terms negotiated with senators as the “toughest and fairest” set of reforms to secure the border. He emphasized that the bill would grant him new emergency authority to shut down the border when overwhelmed, and he expressed his intention to utilize that authority as soon as he signs the bill into law.
The Biden administration seeks over $100 billion in funding, including $14 billion for the border. However, Republicans have insisted on limitations regarding the release of migrants into the interior, including the use of parole. Negotiators are currently striving to find a compromise that satisfies both sides.
When asked about his efforts to secure the border, President Biden asserted that he had done everything within his power. Speaking to reporters as he left the White House, he stated, “I’ve done all I can; just give me the power.” President Biden continued, highlighting his previous appeals for additional resources, including Border Patrol agents and judges, to address the crisis effectively.