Border security negotiations hit a wall after 5,000 crossings a day

The Senate has postponed its holiday recess to work on a border and foreign aid package, which could mark a breakthrough on an issue that has not been addressed by Congress in decades. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that talks had made “good progress” on a package that would include money for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and in return strengthen border security measures.

The talks are still in the “drafts” stage and not “legislative texts,” Senate GOP Whip John Thune told reporters. “The members need to be here next week,” Schumer insisted. 'We have to finish this. We will vote on an additional proposal next week.”

But House Speaker Mike Johnson has already said he won't bring back his members before the holidays — and the leadership has pointed to comments from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said there is no urgency until February for US funds. President Biden's additional request worth more than $100 billion would provide Ukraine with $61 billion in its fight against Russia.

Senators from both parties have been engaged in crucial conversations with the White House in recent days — even the Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas has been at the table. Republicans have insisted they will not vote for any foreign aid that does not include border measures to stem the flow of migrants.

Only nine Republicans need to vote for the package to pass the Senate if all Democrats vote for it, although Democratic opponents are expected. The House is a different story. Hardliners on both sides of the aisle in the House of Representatives are expected to oppose the deal: Conservative Republicans will say it falls short of H.R. 2, their party-line immigration bill, and that it opposes aid to Ukraine be general. Progressive Democrats will oppose border restrictions.

Earlier this week, CBS reported that the White House was open to establishing a Title 42-style border authority to expel migrants without asylum screening and expand immigration detention and deportation in exchange for the foreign aid. One idea being considered is to allow Homeland Security officials to stop migrants from seeking asylum at the southern border if the total number of crossings in a day exceeds 5,000. The total number of days per day has exceeded 10,000 on some days this year.

Another is detaining people seeking asylum at the border, including families with children, and negotiators have been looking for ways to quickly remove migrants who have been here less than two years and have not sought asylum. Major immigration reforms have not been codified into law since 1986 with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Senators on both sides have threatened to oppose the bill even without the bill before them. “If @SenScumer thinks he can send us home this weekend, quietly give in to the Republicans' anti-immigrant demands while no one is looking, and then ambush the Democrats and expect us to vote yes with a smile , then he is HORRIBLY WRONG,” says Senator Bob. Menendez, DN.J., wrote on X.

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