Biden promises to reject House GOP immigration legislation.

President Biden to Veto House Republican Immigration Bill

The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has announced that President Joe Biden will veto the Secure the Border Act of 2023, or H.R. 2, which is being pushed by House Republicans. The bill is said to “do nothing to address the root causes of migration, reduces humanitarian protections, and restricts lawful pathways.”

Why the Bill is Being Rejected

The OMB has stated that the bill would only make things worse at the southern border, rather than better. It would reduce authorized funding for essential programs, including the Shelter and Services Program, which provides a critical source of funds for state and local governments and reduces pressure at the border. Additionally, the bill would make processing less efficient by prohibiting the use of the CBP One mobile application to process noncitizens and restricting DHS’s parole authority.

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Approach

The OMB has contended that President Biden’s immigration policy has been undermined by an outdated statutory framework and inadequate resources, particularly in this time of unprecedented global movement. The administration’s approach to border management is grounded in a strategy that includes robust enforcement at the border of illegal crossings, deterrence to discourage illegal immigration, and legal pathways to ensure that those in need of protection are not turned away to face death or serious harm.

What the House Bill Would Do

The House bill would reintroduce components of former President Donald Trump’s so-called Remain in Mexico policy, restart border wall construction, redirect funds from migrant charities, improve border surveillance, and earmark more money for border personnel. However, the OMB has stated that the bill does very little to actually increase border security while doing a great deal to trample on the Nation’s core values and international obligations.

Conclusion

After months of negotiations, the House is poised to vote on H.R. 2 on Thursday, the same day Title 42, a pandemic-era federal public health authority that has been used to expeditiously expel immigrants, will expire. However, with President Biden’s veto looming, it remains to be seen what the future holds for this controversial bill.

• Bolded text: The White House’s Office of Management and Budget
• Bolded text: Secure the Border Act of 2023, or H.R. 2
• Bolded text: President Joe Biden
• Bolded text: House Republicans
• Bolded text: Remain in Mexico policy
• Bolded text: Title 42
• Bolded text: Donald Trump