Biden touts bipartisan immigration bill as “toughest set of border security reforms” the country has ever seen
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 29, 2024
Contact: media@texascivilrightsproject.org
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS - Today, President Joe Biden visited Brownsville, Texas. During the visit, he and Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, met with elected leaders, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and local law enforcement officers. During the press conference, President Biden renewed his call for Congress to pass the bipartisan immigration bill that he touted as the “toughest set of border security reforms we’ve ever seen in this country.” The proposal would enact a “Border Emergency Authority”— enabling the administration to summarily deport people who enter between ports of entry without permitting them to apply for asylum. In addition, he announced more resources for Border Patrol to hire more officers, while Secretary Mayorkas claimed the administration has removed or returned more people than in previous fiscal years.
In response to President Joe Biden’s visit to Brownsville, spokespeople with the Texas Civil Rights Project released the following statements:
“By prioritizing meetings with CBP officials and failing to contact any immigration attorneys, nonprofits, and advocates - President Biden is sending a clear signal to Washington. He has no intention of reforming immigration practices to address the border as the humanitarian crisis that it is,” said Tami Goodlette (she/her), director of the Beyond Borders Program at TCRP. “We are concerned that after this visit, we will see policies proposed that diminish the very foundation of asylum and make it harder for people seeking safety at our border. It’s time for the President to make good on his 2020 campaign promises. We need real solutions that expand legal pathways, not political grandstanding.”
“Each election year or legislative session, politicians make their way to Texas border cities to announce new policies or use the border in some other way to further their political agenda,” said Denisse Molina (she/her), humanitarian outreach coordinator for the Beyond Borders Program at TCRP. “Border communities are not political pawns that can be toyed with to earn points from voters.The timing of this announcement is in direct contrast with the spirit and community celebration of Charro Days, a celebration of friendship and culture amongst the cities of Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas. This is a clear political stunt showing that while Brownsville may be the backdrop, President Biden does not know the history, welcoming arms, or respect locals have for their neighbors in Mexico. We deserve better.”
The press conference was held in Brownsville where it and its sister city, Matamoros, are hosting the 87th annual celebration of Charro Days. Charro Days is an event that recognizes and celebrates Mexican culture and the long-standing friendship between the U.S. and Mexico. Every February, residents of both cities gather for a parade that crosses the international bridge and border.
To schedule an interview with one of TCRP’s attorneys or experts on immigration issues, please contact media@texascivilrightsproject.org to coordinate.
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