- A new border security bill released by the Senate on Sunday would not require construction of a wall along the border with Mexico.
- The bill authorizes funding for the wall, but over Democratic opposition, drastically reduces its construction and dimensions and includes provisions protecting the government's power to parole foreign nationals.
- “It's being protected for the next administration. It's preventing wall construction from actually happening,” said Republican Sen. James Lankford, the lead Republican author of the bill. Oklahoma) said on the Hugh Hewitt Show.
The new border security law announced by the Senate on Sunday does not mandate construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, but it does allow for wall construction with certain restrictions.
The bipartisan bill “Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024The deal, negotiated over two months by Republican and Democratic senators, would earmark $118 billion for a variety of issues, including aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia, aid to Israel in its conflict with Hamas, and border security. It was planned to be done. The Senate bill would authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to construct “steel bollard pedestrian barriers” along the border with Mexico, but would also specify some restrictions on how they could be constructed. However, their construction is not mandatory. (Related: Senate releases text of long-awaited bipartisan border security bill)
“We've restructured the capital to make sure it's actually protected. It's protected until the next administration. It's actually preventing wall construction from happening and the government has already defunded it. This is to ensure that the funds cannot be spent when they are being used for environmental restoration. Said Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, the lead Republican negotiator on the bill, appeared on “The Hugh Hewitt Show” on Monday.
Overview of state of emergency declaration by Daily Caller News Foundation
The Senate bill specifies that walls known as “pedestrian barriers” “must have an effective height of at least 18 to 30 feet and have enhanced anti-climbing and anti-digging features.” However, it includes language restricting funding for this express purpose, stating that “Funds allocated for physical pedestrian barriers may not be used for any purpose other than the construction of pedestrian barriers.'' It is said that it cannot be done.”
That language is intended to previously restrict wall construction. identified Sites were built along the southern border in 2020 during the Trump administration, but they cannot cover its entire length. However, the plan can be changed with permission from the council.
In this respect, the language in the Senate bill departs from the wall provisions contained in the Secure Borders Act, drafted by House Republicans and passed by the chamber in May 2023. This bill requires its construction. Says “The Secretary of Homeland Security shall construct a border wall, including physical barriers, tactical infrastructure, and technology, along more than 900 miles of the Southwest border.”
The exact amount allocated in the Senate bill is based on unobligated balances in previous legislation, but is not specified in the bill. According to one source, Lankford claims the amount will be “$650 million.” press release Published by his office.
In the 2016 presidential election, then-candidate Donald Trump promised Build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and add promise It was said that Mexico would finance its construction. In early 2019, the wall became the focus of a debate in Congress between President Trump and Democrats, who refused to support funding for the wall and sparked a 34-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. (Related: President Trump holds firm line on wall funding, shutting down after Christmas)
Since then, Democrats have refused to support building a wall along the border, but have made concessions on funding for barrier improvements. “That's immoral.” Said Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, opposed President Trump's proposed wall in 2018.
President Trump signaled in 2018 that he was prepared to close the border and shut down the government unless funding for a wall was provided.
After the 2019 conflict, President Trump declared a national emergency to redirect funds toward wall construction. It was rescinded by the Biden administration.
In total, the Trump administration 458 miles of the new wall. The Biden administration began construction of 20 miles of wall in 2023, but Biden insisted it was to comply with existing laws requiring wall construction.
Apart from the wall, the Senate bill appears to create a disparity in the granting of advanced parole to foreign nationals seeking protection from persecution charges in the United States. The Senate bill, in Section 244A, requires that aliens arriving from a “land-based continental border” be subject to expedited asylum and removal procedures, but that aliens arriving at airports and ports are subject to similar procedures. No procedures are required.
The Biden administration's parole system for foreign nationals who have fled countries such as Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela and Ukraine has been the target of ire from Republicans in Congress who want it drastically reduced or eliminated. “President Biden exploited immigration parole It's a system that allows millions of unqualified immigrants into the country.” I have written On January 7th, Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas (now known as X) spoke out on Twitter.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did not respond to a request for comment.
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