Two New Jersey lawmakers — a Democrat and a Republican — had just returned from the southern border with Mexico and had very different views of what was going on there.
Democratic Senator Cory Booker, who visited Brownsville, Texas, is back convinced that Congress needs to change U.S. immigration policy and welcome those who want to come to the United States.
Booker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said: “Border issues are complex and require great effort to resolve, but we must accept the fact that the status quo cannot be maintained.
“After returning to Washington, I will continue to work with my colleagues to find avenues to address the root causes of immigration, advance a more humane system for immigrants, and mitigate the challenges facing law enforcement officials. We will work together.”
Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew, R-2 District, 1,400 miles from Booker in Yuma, Arizona, was attending. at an on-site hearing of the House Judiciary Committee of which he is a member.
“We really see people crossing and passing illegally,” Van Drew said at the hearing. “This is the United States of America under attack. We are losing our country.”
He complained about the cost of local hospitals having to treat sick people crossing the border and called for the completion of the unfinished border wall that former President Donald Trump promised to pay Mexico. ,instead diverted billions of dollars Funded by the Pentagon.
We also asked Jonathan Lines, former Arizona Republican Party chairman of the Yuma County Supervisory District, whether the immigration problem has gotten worse during President Joe Biden’s administration.
“It was so much more than we ever imagined,” Lines replied. “More than 600,000 people have come through Yuma since this administration took office.”
Booker focused on caring for those who had already crossed the border and toured migrant camps. Facilities that provide housing, meals, or other services. Organizations that assist people seeking asylum.
“America is a country of immigrants,” Booker said. “This country was built and shaped by those who came here fleeing fear, persecution and violence who saw it as a beacon of hope and wanted a better life. We must enact immigration policies that preserve our history and reflect our most important values.”
Biden called on New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez to lead a bipartisan immigration law. Menendez was a member of the Gang of Eight and was included in the immigration bill that he passed the Senate in 2013 with 68 votes, but he resigned when Republican leaders refused to bring it up to the ballot. died in the lower house.
Senator Menendez now says Republican senators won’t discuss immigration and will allow so-called dreamers who were brought illegally to the U.S. as children to stay in exchange for stronger border security measures. He said he even rejected any deal in exchange for the stipulation. in the country where they grew up.
Our journalism needs your support.please subscribe today To NJ.com.
Jonathan D. Salant can reach jsalant@njadvancemedia.comfollow him @JDSalant.
