The latest Senate border deal has come under heavy fire from former President Donald Trump and other GOP figures. [Source]
Criticized as a “great gift to the Democrats,” the legislation, earmarking over $20 billion to expedite migrant processing in the United States, has sparked a significant backlash among Capitol Hill Republicans.
Former President Trump, voicing his disapproval on his Truth Social account, labeled the bill as a “Death Wish for The Republican Party,” asserting that it absolves Democrats of their handling of immigration and border security, shifting the blame onto Republicans.
Trump wrote, “Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill, which only gives Shutdown Authority after 5000 Encounters a day, when 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. It takes the HORRIBLE JOB the Democrats have done on Immigration and the Border, absolves them, and puts it all squarely on the shoulders of Republicans. 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. They should fix it. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
Trump’s sentiments were echoed by Steve Daines (RT), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “I can’t support a bill that doesn’t secure the border, provides taxpayer funded lawyers to illegal immigrants and gives billions to radical open borders groups. I’m a no,” said Daines in a post on X. [Source]
The controversy centers on the bill’s provisions, including a $650 million allocation for southern border wall construction and a mechanism to shut down the border when migrant crossings exceed a 5,000-per-day average over a week. However, GOP critics argue these measures are insufficient and potentially bypassable by presidential discretion.
Notably, the bill reflects a significant shift in Democratic immigration policies since the era of former President Bill Clinton, who in 1995 stressed the importance of enforcing immigration laws to prevent abuse. [Source]
The current legislation’s approach draws attention to thresholds for activating “border emergency authority” and substantial funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) assisting illegal aliens.
The legislation, resulting from negotiations among Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ.), and Chris Murphy (D-CT.), has attracted criticism for its perceived leniency and potential to incentivize illegal crossings. [Source]
Key provisions, such as the emergency border authority activation thresholds and the substantial allocations for NGOs, have raised concerns among Republicans about the bill’s effectiveness in stemming illegal immigration and its alignment with broader GOP principles on national security and immigration enforcement.
Critics within the GOP, including Senators J.D. Vance (R-OG) and Mike Lee (R-UT), have pointed out loopholes and ambiguities in the bill that could undermine its intended objectives.
Trump’s forceful denouncement of the legislation underscores a deep-seated concern within the party about conceding ground on immigration policy, a cornerstone issue for the Republican base.
The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with strong opposition from House Republicans and skepticism among Senate GOP members about its prospects.