BROWNSVILLE, Texas — President Joe Biden revealed proposed bipartisan border legislation during a Thursday visit to South Texas as immigration comes into view as a key topic on the road to Election Day. Meanwhile, his likely opponent, GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, blasted Biden's handling of the border from 300 miles away.
Before reaching the podium in Brownsville, Biden spoke with local law enforcement about what they need to help limit a rise in migrant encounters that reached record-highs in December. (The following month, meanwhile, brought the third-lowest number of migrant encounters along the border of Biden's presidency.)
"We are trying to get thousands of more agents," Biden said. "We're going to get you more resources, come hell or high water."
Biden then spoke with the Center of Immigration Services (CIS) where they briefed him on their efforts to screen individuals in order to determine whether they have a credible fear of being prosecuted after encountering Border Patrol.
CIS said they have hundreds of well-trained and dedicated officers, but added "it's simply not enough." They said officers are having to wear many hats and are overwhelmed, having to work lots of overtime hours in order to secure the border.
"We've proposed to get [CIS] 4,300 additional asylum officers now. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next year—now," Biden said. "I promise we are going to fight like the devil to get this bipartisan proposal, both Democrats and Republicans."
After hearing the statistics from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations on how many migrant law enforcement is arresting and the low amount of bed space they have to hold those asylum-seekers, Biden asked: "What is the most important thing you need?"
The officer responded saying personnel, as they are having to pull agents from other departments and are stretched thin with the amount of people coming in. They also asked for more support staff and criminal analysts so they can stay on top of these investigations instead of using agents in other ways.
Authorities said they were using new technology in the ongoing fight to halt the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the U.S. That includes technology that allows them to scan and target vehicles and packages as they're crossing points of entry.
But, officials make sure to say, more funding is needed—to the tune of $400 million for 100 machines.
"There's plenty of funding there," the president responded. "We can't afford not to do this and we can afford to do it. It could be a game-changer."
Biden then made his way to the podium to address his bipartisan border deal and what needs to be done to get it passed. The crux of the bill calls for adding more than 1,500 border security agents; 4,300 asylum officers to process claims faster; funding for an additional 100 immigration judges; and giving the president "emergency authority to temporarily shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed."
"It's real simple: It's time to act. It's been long past time to act," Biden said. "Agents (are) working overtime, spending long hours patrolling the border, making major sacrifices. I know it takes a big toll on them and their families."
He also brought up how more immigration judges are needed to address a backlog that Biden says has reached 2 million cases.
Part of the issue when it comes to immigration, Biden said, was that the process to get asylum claims process takes too long—five to seven years.
"This encourages more people to come to the country. They get by the first and know they have another five, seven, eight years before they have to do anything because they know they cannot handle the case loads quickly, and they'll be able to stay in this county in the meantime."
He added that new policies introduced in his bill would cut down that process to a few months.
"That would have a serious deterred effect on those coming north," Biden said.
'Show a little spine'
The new bill comes after Senate Republicans earlier this month blocked a bipartisan border package that also included $60 billion in wartime aid to Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel. GOP lawmakers had insisted that the money for conflicts abroad be paired with help for the U.S. border.
"This is a truly bipartisan initiative," Biden said about his new bill. "I didn't get everything I wanted in that compromised bipartisan bill, but neither did anyone else. Compromise is part of the process... and those senators that opposed it need to set politics aside and pass it on merits, not on whether it's going to benefit one party or benefit the other party."
He then directed his attention towards the Speaker of the House, adding that if they were to put this bill on the floor, it could pass as Democrats and Republicans alike agree on this proposal.
"Until someone came along and said, 'Don't do that, it will benefit the incumbent,'" Biden said. "It's time for the speaker and some of my Republican friends in congress who blocked this bill to show a little spine. Pass the bipartisan border security bill."
Biden finished by pleading with his likely presidential opponent, Donald Trump, to team up with him to get this bill passed.
"I understand my predecessor is in Eagle Pass today, so here's what I'd say to Trump: Set a plan policy issue instead of telling members of Congress to block this legislation. Join me, or I'll join you in telling Congress to pass this bipartisan border security bill," he said. "So instead of playing politics with you, why don't we just get together and get it done?"