The recent editorial “Republicans show their true colors on immigration” (Feb. 11) is another disingenuous attempt to blame Republicans for the results of Democratic policies.

The fact of the matter is, the Republicans overwhelmingly rejected the Senate border deal because it was a bad deal.

Firstly, it increases legal pathways to immigration. The reason illegal immigration is a problem is that it reduces our ability to be selective in whom we let in. Simply letting more people in legally does not fix this problem, but codifies it.

Secondly, increasing funding for border agents and asylum officers only fixes things if they actually keep people out. If they process the people into the country faster, it makes things worse. Processing asylum claims faster is only beneficial if fraudulent claims (and these claims have become increasingly dubious during the surge) are denied, and if those who are denied are quickly deported. Too many with rejected claims simply stay illegally, meaning that the asylum claim is about getting entrance, not getting legal status.

Thirdly, the “harsh” provisions for shutting down the border are only triggered once encounters are higher than the worst month of the Trump administration. There are also lots of loopholes and an ability of the president to waive these provisions. And any legal challenges would have to go through the liberal D.C. circuit court.

The bill would not solve the border crisis, would likely make it worse, and would tie the hands of future presidents who wished to secure the border. To blame the GOP for our broken border because they refuse to break it further is highly dishonest.

 

Michael Jose

Augusta

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