Reject border and war aid bill, Trump urges
Former president tells Republicans ‘only a fool’ would back $118bn deal to reform migration laws
‘Don’t be Stupid! We need a separate Border and Immigration Bill. It should not be tied to foreign aid in any way’
‘I’m ready to solve the problem. I’m ready to secure the border. And so are the American people’
DONALD TRUMP has told Republicans to reject a $118 billion bipartisan border deal which links tougher immigration laws and aid for Ukraine and Israel.
On Sunday, the US Senate unveiled the bill which, if passed, would mark the most significant changes in US immigration and border security in decades.
Urging Senators to vote in favour of the bill tomorrow, Joe Biden told Republicans to stop “playing politics” and pass the legislation.
But Mr Trump lambasted the proposed legislation. On Truth Social, he wrote: “Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill.”
The former US president criticised the bill for only deporting migrants who cross illegally after crossings reach more than 5,000 a day for a five-day average, saying: “we already have the right to close the border now, which must be done.”
“This Bill is a great gift to the Democrats, and a Death Wish for The Republican Party,” Mr Trump said, adding: “Don’t be Stupid! We need a separate Border and Immigration Bill. It should not be tied to foreign aid in any way, shape, or form! The Democrats broke Immigration and the Border.”
Mike Johnson, the House Speaker, put out a blistering joint statement with Steve Scalise, the House majority leader, Tom Emmer, the majority whip, and Elise Stefanik. They said the bill “fails in every policy area needed to secure our border and would actually incentivise more illegal immigration”.
Mr Biden heralded the agreement on Sunday as one which includes the “toughest and fairest set of border reforms in decades”, and ones that he “strongly” supports.
“Now, House Republicans have to decide,” he said. “Do they want to solve the problem? Or do they want to keep playing politics with the border?
“I’ve made my decision. I’m ready to solve the problem. I’m ready to secure the border. And so are the American people,” Mr Biden said.
With record numbers of migrants crossing into the US, the border has become a sticking point in Mr Biden’s administration, and one he hopes to turn around before the 2024 election.
Immigration is the second largest concern for Americans, according to a Reuters/ipsos poll, and is a top issue for Republicans specifically.
Border Patrol agents reported a record 302,034 encounters with migrants on the southern border in December, according to US Customs and Border Protection figures.
The bill would give Homeland Security the power to essentially shut down the border when attempted migrant crossings reach 4,000 per day several days in a row. If the crossings reach more than 5,000 per day, the department is required to use these emergency powers, although there are limits on how many days they can be in place.
The bill would require the government to process at least 1,400 migrants per day and would maintain some protections for people who fear torture or persecution after being deported. It would also make it harder for migrants to apply and qualify for asylum, as well as encourage quicker resolutions for asylum cases and speed up the removal of those who do not qualify for asylum.
The $20billion border provision includes funding to hire thousands of Border Patrol and asylum officers and increase retention capacity, as well as $650million for the border wall to buy more munitions from US suppliers.
The proposed legislation is backed by Chuck Schumer, the Democrat Senate majority leader, and Mitch Mcconnell, the top Senate Republican, who has said his party would not get a better deal under a Republican White House.
Some progressive Democrats have criticised the legislation, saying it is an attempt to appease Republicans. Pramila Jayapal said the bill included “poison pill provisions” and said Mr Biden and Senate Democrats had “fallen into the same trap” of giving in to extremist Maga views.
The bill would provide $60 billion to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, $14billion in security assistance for Israel, $2.4billion to US Central Command and the conflict in the Red Sea, and $4.8billion to support US partners in the Indo-pacific. This is according to figures from Senator Patty Murray, of the appropriation committee.
Of the Ukraine aid, almost $20 billion would go towards replenishing US stockpiles of equipment and $13.8billion to allow Kyiv to buy more munitions from US suppliers.
The funding for Israel includes $5.2billion for missile defence systems. An additional $10 billion provides humanitarian assistance for civilians in conflict zones including in Ukraine, Gaza and the West Bank.
The bill also strips US funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Israel has accused 12 of its Palestinian employees of being involved in Hamas’s Oct 7 attack.