For GOP on border, crisis sells better than compromise

This weekend, a small group of Senate negotiators unveiled a border security proposal that would impose cruel Trump-era immigration policies in exchange for one-time critical national security aid for our allies and humanitarian relief.

Far from further securing our nation’s borders, this proposal would create more chaos by frequently shutting down asylum processing, leaving countless vulnerable families and individuals seeking protection without any opportunity to do so.   

In fact, the deal takes a page straight from former President Trump’s playbook. It would put into place a new expulsion authority similar to Title 42 — the COVID-19-era policy Trump used to systematically expel migrants without due process. It’s worth noting that under Title 42, border crossings more than doubled and repeat crossings surged.

And in a rush to hire additional border patrol agents, and this bill would lower the vetting requirements for prospective employees to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). By waiving polygraph exam requirements for certain applicants, it would significantly weaken the hiring process and open the door to more corruption at our border as cartels work to infiltrate CBP with their own agents. That’s not speculation — in the past, polygraph examinations as part of CBP hiring have uncovered dozens of applicants’ cartel affiliation and other criminal history.

The American public doesn’t want more of the same failed policies. Poll after poll shows that voters understand that our immigration system is outdated and want lawmakers to take action. But they’re also against cruel policies that put children in cages, separate families or undermine critical protections for those seeking safety. 

The American people want to see an immigration process that is secure, orderly, humane and that provides legal pathways for both asylum seekers and immigrants who have lived and worked in the United States for years as valued members of our communities. 

Republicans know this. Yet they continue to demand extreme and unworkable policies and then change their tune as soon as Trump posts on social media.

Why? Because sadly, a “crisis at the border” makes for a great campaign ad. And because they believe fearmongering about immigrants and the border motivates their base. It’s the same reason why Republicans have spent the last few months negotiating this deal with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas with one hand and pursuing baseless impeachment articles against him with the other.

The American people deserve better. And immigrants deserve better. But Republican hypocrisy, grandstanding and politics keep us in limbo.

So where does that leave us?

In October, President Biden requested that Congress pass a $14 billion package to fund border security, process asylum cases more quickly and provide support for communities throughout the U.S receiving migrants. 

When they had a chance to actually do something to address the border, predictably, Republicans refused.

We should be investing in expanded processing capacity at ports of entry and reducing the backlog for asylum and work permit applications. And instead of pursuing mass deportations, we should be helping businesses fill workforce shortages by increasing lawful pathways, including by reforming work visa programs.

Together, alongside coordination with partners in Mexico, Central and South America to address the root causes that force so many migrants to flee their home countries, these investments would do more to sustainably improve our immigration system than failed deterrence measures ever could.

It’s time for Republicans to move beyond failed policies. It’s time for them to stop holding urgent national security funding hostage for a deal that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has already said would be “dead on arrival” in the House — all to boost Trump’s chances in the November election. 

So we will vote against the chaos. We will not allow them to use immigrants as political pawns. And we’ll continue to urge Republicans to stop playing politics with people’s lives, and come to the table to discuss solutions that will actually work. 

Alex Padilla is the senior senator of California. Nanette Barragán represents the 44th District of California and is chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.