Latino Democrats in the Senate Express Concerns Over Biden’s Border and Ukraine Negotiations

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Distinguished Latino members of the Senate have initially voiced their apprehensions privately regarding the Biden administration’s approach to border security and Ukraine negotiations. Prominent among them is Democratic Senator Alex Padilla of California, who maintained frequent communication with administration officials, raising questions about the absence of substantial considerations for providing pathways to citizenship for long-standing undocumented immigrants within the Senate discussions.

Similarly, New Mexico Democrat Senator Ben Ray Luján pursued meetings with high-ranking White House officials, advocating for immigration-related reforms. However, as their concerns seemed to go unaddressed, these influential lawmakers transitioned from silent reservations to vocal opposition.

Padilla, in particular, emphasized, “A return to Trump-era policies is not the fix; in fact, it will make the problem worse.” He even took the opportunity to caution President Joe Biden during a recent fundraiser in California, urging him to exercise caution in endorsing potentially detrimental policies.

These Latino senators now find themselves in a dynamic immigration debate, as President Biden seeks a border agreement as part of a $110 billion package encompassing Ukraine, Israel, and other national security priorities, in an effort to manage the influx of individuals arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border.

These ongoing negotiations, slated to continue this weekend at the Capitol, occur amidst mounting criticism directed at the Biden administration’s handling of border and immigration issues. This criticism has emanated not only from Republicans but also from within the president’s own party, with Democratic cities and states voicing concerns about the financial burden of accommodating migrants.

However, conspicuously absent from these discussions are pro-immigration reforms, including the granting of permanent legal status to thousands of immigrants who arrived in the U.S. illegally as children, often referred to as “Dreamers.” The DREAM Act, which aimed to provide similar protections for young immigrants, was never approved.

A few days after his conversation with President Biden, Padilla, alongside Senators Luján and Bob Menendez, aired their concerns at a Congressional Hispanic Caucus press conference held in front of the Capitol. During this conference, they criticized Senate Republicans for linking border policy changes to Ukraine aid and expressed dissatisfaction with Biden’s concessions, which they believed undermined the United States’ reputation as a nation that welcomes immigrants.

Senator Padilla mentioned that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had promised to involve them and several other senators in reviewing proposals before a final agreement is reached. Nonetheless, Latino lawmakers have largely remained outside the core negotiating group, even though they consistently advocated for progressive solutions to the U.S. immigration system.

President Biden finds himself under pressure from various quarters. He faces criticism regarding the high number of migrants and is also striving to address political vulnerabilities ahead of a potential rematch with former Republican President Donald Trump, who has pledged to implement far-right immigration measures.

Furthermore, the immigration issue is now intertwined with a key foreign policy objective: providing substantial support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia.

Sources indicate that the White House and Senate leaders are working towards establishing a framework for the border deal by Sunday, though some caution that it may take longer.

In recent negotiations, the White House has pushed for provisions that would legalize young immigrants who arrived in the United States illegally as children, known as “Dreamers.” Republicans, on the other hand, have demanded several asylum restrictions that Democrats have resisted thus far. However, securing protections for “Dreamers” could be one way for Democrats to advance their long-standing immigration goals.

Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn., acknowledged that there are still disagreements, and discussions are ongoing.

The bipartisan group leading the negotiations expects to lose support from both the left and right wings of their respective parties, emphasizing the critical nature of the crisis. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona independent involved in the core negotiating group, emphasized the inhumane conditions faced by individuals in southern Arizona, emphasizing the urgent need for resolution.

However, immigration advocates have been mobilizing opposition to the proposed changes, likening them to policies from the Trump era. They argue that these measures, described as “draconian” and a “betrayal,” would compromise U.S. commitments to providing refuge to those fleeing persecution and would not effectively deter individuals from undertaking the perilous journey to the border.

One of the policies under consideration would enable border officials to swiftly return migrants to Mexico without permitting them to seek asylum in the United States. Advocates argue that this approach could expose migrants to dangerous cartels in northern Mexico. Moreover, they assert that previous use of expulsion authority during the pandemic did not deter migrants from attempting reentry into the U.S.

Greg Chen, senior director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, raised concerns about the potential to make the border region “more chaotic and dangerous.”

Furthermore, implementing the proposed policies would be logistically challenging, as detaining migrants or families would result in a significant increase in the number of people in custody, incurring substantial costs and diverting Department of Homeland Security staff from other duties to manage the border.

If this legislation comes to a vote, Senator Padilla and other prominent House Democrats, including Representatives Nanette Barragán and Pramila Jayapal, are likely to lead opposition from the left. Notably, support for immigration reform extends to prominent House members such as Representative Veronica Escobar and Representative Jerry Nadler.

Senator Padilla also underscored the potential lasting impact of Biden’s concessions on border restrictions on his support among Latino voters, stressing the importance of ensuring that concessions benefit a range of immigrant groups.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Immigration Concerns

More about Immigration Concerns

• Biden Administration’s Immigration Policies
• DREAM Act Background
• Ukraine Aid and Foreign Policy
• Border Security and Immigration Reforms
• Immigration Advocacy Groups