News USA US House of Representatives Passes Republican Bill Strengthening Border Security

US House of Representatives Passes Republican Bill Strengthening Border Security

The US House of Representatives on Thursday passed Republican legislation aimed at detaining immigrants and curbing illegal drug trafficking crossing its southwest border with Mexico, leaving the Senate to push through a broader, bipartisan immigration bill.

The package, which Democrats have warned will be blocked in the upper house, would set strict limits on asylum seekers and force them to seek US protection outside the country.

The lower house voted 219 to 213 to approve the bill, with no Democrats in favor and one Republican against. The new rules would also resume construction of a wall along the border and expand federal enforcement efforts.

“The key component of this bill is where we say: ‘If you come to our country, you may, according to the law, apply for asylum… but you will be detained or returned while your application is adjudicated,'” he said. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan during debate on the bill.

The vote came in anticipation of Thursday’s midnight expiration of the immigration restriction, Title 42which began under former President Donald Trump in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That policy has allowed authorities to expel migrants back to Mexico without the opportunity to apply for asylum, citing health concerns. In recent days, southwest border officials have been seeing a large influx of immigrants as Title 42 expires.

“My fellow Republicans are trying to steer us back to the failed, illegal and immoral policies of the Trump administration,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the ranking Democrat on the judiciary committee.

“This bill serves as a total ban on asylum. No one would be able to apply for asylum in the United States if they crossed between ports of entry or if they had or could have even had temporary status in a third country,” Nadler added.

Over the past three decades, Congress has failed to introduce meaningful immigration reform. As Biden prepares for his re-election next year, the large number of people seeking asylum in the United States has raised awareness among voters.

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released this week, 54% of those polled, including 77% Republicans and 34% Democrats, oppose opening the border to more immigrants each year and only 26% say approve the government’s management of this phenomenon.

Source: VOA Espanol

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