U.S. Republicans double-down on hardline immigration policies

A group of American House Republicans are demanding hardline immigration policies in exchange for supporting more wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel.

The United States Congress has found itself at a stalemate for months now on both the issues of immigration and wartime funding abroad.

In the most recent escalation on Wednesday, a delegation of around 60 Republicans, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, travelled to Eagle Pass, Texas. It’s an area that has become a major crossing point for migrants hoping to gain entry into the U.S.

In order to increase funding for border security, republicans must also agree to send more aid to Ukraine and Israel as the two are tied up in the same $110-billion funding package from President Joe Biden.

Republicans are now asking for more funding than the initial package to build a wall and for harsher punishments for illegal crossings in exchange for their support.

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“Last month alone, we saw the most illegal crossings in recorded history. It is an unmitigated disaster, a catastrophe. And what’s more tragic is that it’s a disaster of the President’s own design.” said Speaker Mike Johnson.

“When they’re at the border, they’re going to see the magnitude of the problem and why we have said now for about three decades that our broken immigration system is in desperate need of legislative reform. So we are focused on solutions and we hope that they will return to Washington and focus on the solutions as well.” said Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security.

In response, the White House says Republicans are holding up the funding by refusing to support the proposal.

The state of Texas says it’s seen as many as 10,000 illegal border crossings a day last month.

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