A group of House Democrats facing a tough campaign cycle has called on President Biden to take executive action on the United States’ border with Mexico. The legislators from several states urged Biden to restore order at the Southern border and fix the broken immigration system ahead of the upcoming general election. The move comes in response to criticism from Republicans and some within Biden’s own party over his approach to immigration and the border.
Recent polls in three presidential battleground states showed that a majority of likely voters view the U.S.-Mexico border as a major factor in their vote for president. The collapse of a bipartisan border deal earlier this year provided Democrats with an opportunity to counter longstanding GOP attacks on the issue. The new letter from House Democrats underscores the need for action from the Biden administration in the face of Republican opposition to a bipartisan deal to secure the border.
Fifteen Democratic House members, including those from crucial states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Nevada, signed the letter calling for action on the border issue. The lawmakers emphasized that constituents from all congressional districts have felt the impacts of the current border situation. The House recently passed a Republican-led measure denouncing the Biden administration’s open-borders policies, with some Democratic support. The border issue is expected to play a significant role in House campaigns leading up to Election Day.
The letter reflects the contentious nature of the border and immigration issues as Biden seeks to maintain support from both centrist and progressive voters. The administration is considering executive action to address illegal border crossings, with one possible measure involving restrictions on asylum. While the Biden administration has yet to announce new border measures, it recently enabled undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance.
During fundraisers in Texas, Biden criticized Trump’s role in destabilizing the border and his inflammatory rhetoric on immigration. The ongoing debate over border security highlights the political challenges faced by both parties in addressing the issue. As the midterm elections approach, the border is expected to be a key issue in House campaigns. Both Democrats and Republicans are positioning themselves on the border issue to appeal to voters in increasingly contentious races.
