The Congressional Hispanic Caucus criticized President Joe Biden’s proposals to fix the border crisis.
Caucus Chairwoman Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-CA) shared a statement Thursday to call out the president for not consulting the caucus as Biden postures to make immigration proposals. Barragan also made it clear the caucus “opposes unilateral attempts by the White House to change our asylum system and put human lives at risk.”
“But it is unbelievable to hear that the White House would consider Executive Actions to prevent or restrict migrants from seeking asylum at our Southern Border and possibly use some of the same methods as former President Trump,” Barragan wrote. “Migrants have a legal right to seek asylum when they arrive at our border. Asylum has provided refuge for families, women, and children, and other vulnerable populations since World War II.”
The Biden administration is reportedly considering using Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to stop the admission of those who illegally cross the border. Previously, Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed the president does not have such authority. Instead, the two blamed Congress for its inactivity resulting in an influx of immigrants attempting to enter the country.
“Enforcement-only policies do not work,” Barragan wrote. “And using immigrant communities as a political pawn is wrong.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The House subsequently impeached Mayorkas over his failure to secure the border. An impeachment trial in the Democratic-controlled Senate has yet to take place.
Over 10 million immigrants have reportedly entered the country illegally since Biden took office. It is the most recorded in that amount of time of any administration.
