GOP to Approve Stringent Border Control Legislation

Republican Bill Aims to Tighten Border Security

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on a Republican bill aimed at strengthening border security along the nation’s southwestern border with Mexico. The legislation includes tough new law enforcement measures to prevent illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

What’s in the Bill?

• Asylum seekers would be required to apply for U.S. protection outside the country.
• Construction of a border wall would resume.
• Federal law enforcement efforts would be expanded.

While the bill is not expected to become law, there are hopes that it will spark negotiations for a bipartisan, comprehensive border security and immigration reform measure in the coming months.

Debate on the Bill

The House scheduled the debate on the bill in anticipation of the expiration of the “Title 42” immigration restriction that began under former President Donald Trump in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The restriction allowed U.S. authorities to expel migrants to Mexico without the chance to seek asylum, citing health concerns.

On Wednesday, House Republican leaders had to delay debate on their bill while scurrying to nail down enough votes for passage. At the last minute, provisions for the U.S. agriculture industry to comply with “E-Verify” requirements to confirm U.S. employment eligibility were scaled back because some lawmakers thought they would make hiring immigrant farm workers too cumbersome.

Republican vs. Democratic Views

Republican Representative Chip Roy argued that the legislation will close loopholes in U.S. asylum and immigrant detention procedures by requiring the Department of Homeland Security to “detain, remove or place in a secure third country” those seeking asylum while awaiting a decision from immigration authorities.

Democratic Representative Mary Gay Scanlon countered that the bill “does nothing more than sow chaos, anger and fear about this important humanitarian system” and “puts the blame on our broken immigration system on the backs of those fleeing violence” in their home countries.

Democrats want to couple different border security measures with legislation to broadly reform immigration laws, including providing pathways to citizenship for some unauthorized immigrants living in the United States.

The House voted 215-209 on Wednesday night to clear the bill for a separate vote on passage on Thursday, with no Democrats supporting the move.

Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Cynthia Osterman