For months, the Biden administration has been sparring with the Texas governor over securing the U.S.-Mexico border. Now things are coming to a head – because for Biden it's about so much more.
Barbed wire continues to be installed on the banks of the Rio Grande near the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas – to keep migrants away. Texas is simply securing the border, the country's Republican governor, Greg Abbott, told Fox News.
But with barbed wire already harming migrants, Abbott is challenging a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Earlier this week, Supreme Court justices ruled by a five-to-four vote: President Joe Biden's administration can have the barbed wire removed by Federal Border Patrol officials. A success for Biden.
But Abbott denied federal authorities access to the area. Texas has the right to stop criminals from coming to Texas, he says. In principle, border security is the responsibility of the federal government, but the federal states are also responsible for implementation.
Abbott has several supporters
Abbott accuses Biden of allowing migrants – and therefore criminals – to enter the country in an uncontrolled manner. And Abbott has support. 25 of 26 Republican governors pledged support for Abbott in a letter. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said on Fox News that Abbott was doing exactly the right thing. If he needed more barbed wire, she would send him some from South Dakota if necessary.
The fight between Republicans and Democrats over US immigration laws, which has been going on for years, is now coming to a head during the election campaign. It is a central issue for Donald Trump. The former president announced a few days ago that he would close the border and prevent the invasion on the first day.
Decision also on aid to Ukraine
Trump knows how important it is for his supporters to limit migration. Under no circumstances does he want Democrats and Republicans in Congress to agree on a Senate-brokered deal aimed at curbing illegal migration. Trump's fear that Biden will sell this as a success for himself is too great.
Biden again called on Congress to approve the deal, which also includes new aid to Ukraine. The Senate's migration proposals represent the “toughest and fairest package of reforms to secure the border” the US has ever had, a statement from Biden said.
His spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre, had previously said it was up to Republicans in the House of Representatives. They would have to decide if they wanted to solve a problem.
Biden has now emphasized that the compromise agreement would give him new emergency authority as president to close the border if it becomes overwhelmed. This is unlikely to convince Republicans in the House of Representatives and – against Trump's wishes – they will agree to a deal after a possible deal in the Senate. And Texas Governor Abbott is unlikely to be impressed either. For now, the barbed wire on the banks of the Rio Grande remains where it is.
Nina Barth, ARD Washington, tagesschau, January 27, 2024 12:56 pm