Monday | November 1st, 2021

It’s Monday, November 1st, and this is your Morning Wire. Listen to the full podcast:

1) Biden Admin Considers Cash Payments To Illegal Immigrants, 

The Topline: As the border crisis continues to worsen, the Biden administration is reportedly preparing to offer hundreds of millions of dollars in payments to illegal immigrant families separated at the border under President Trump.

Background

According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, the White House is considering a financial settlement with families separated at the border, potentially offering $450,000 per person. The potential move follows multiple lawsuits filed against the federal government for their handling of migrant families during the Trump administration. 

Most estimates put the number of migrant children separated from their parents during the Trump presidency at around 5,000, though it’s unclear at the moment how many would be eligible for payments under the current proposal. 

Josue Decavele/Getty Images

The Plan

Under the plan, payments would reportedly be made to the migrant families whether they’re currently living in the U.S. or not. Experts say that opens up a whole new set of legal issues, as the U.S. government would be wiring millions of dollars to individuals living in South and Central America, with little guarantee it gets to the right people.

The Reaction

Democrats say President Trump’s “zero tolerance” border policy which resulted in some families getting separated was overly cruel and in some cases unlawful. They also claim paying out a settlement now could protect the U.S. from potential legal action down the road if more families try to sue.

Republicans largely dispute the claim that any laws at the border were broken under President Trump, and say offering millions of dollars to those who came here illegally will send a dangerous message, and incentivize more illegal immigration. Many have also pointed out that $450,000 is more than most gold star families get after their loved ones are killed in action. 

Quote Of The Day

“To just say the value is more for someone who has broken our laws, and as a result there’s consequences. And now to say oh well we owe you money, and it’s more money than we would pay a patriot. I am outraged.”

-David Horton, father of Army Specialist Christopher Horton, who was killed in Afghanistan

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