President Joe Biden is under fire from both Democrats and Republicans for his handling of the migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The latest criticism comes from Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who compared Biden to former President Donald Trump and accused him of considering executive action to address the situation.
Ocasio-Cortez took to social media platform X to express her disappointment with the potential executive action, stating that "seeking asylum is a legal right of all people" and that "we should commit to our principles in the face of authoritarian threat." She went on to say that the mere suggestion of such action is "outrageous" and that the President should refuse to sign it.
In response to Ocasio-Cortez's comments, a White House spokesperson emphasized the need for Congress to act on the bipartisan border security bill that was passed by the Senate. The spokesperson stated that the administration spent months negotiating for this bill and that it is the best solution to secure the border and fix the broken immigration system. They also criticized House Republicans for rejecting the bill and choosing "partisan politics" over national security.
While the White House did not directly address Ocasio-Cortez's comparison of Biden to Trump, it is clear that tensions are rising within the Democratic Party over the President's handling of the border crisis.
Biden's recent willingness to consider cracking down on illegal immigration and take pressure off the overwhelmed asylum system has garnered criticism from progressive lawmakers like Ocasio-Cortez and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragán.
Biden's potential executive action would restrict the ability of migrants who cross the border illegally to claim asylum. This move comes after the president stated earlier this month that he would close the border if Congress granted him the power to do so through legislation. Barragán, in response, said that efforts to shut down the border "do not work" and did not work under Trump with the use of Title 42.
However, despite the criticism from within his own party, the border crisis is rapidly becoming a major issue for voters. A recent Fox News poll found that nearly eight in 10 voters consider the border a significant issue, with 34% stating it is an emergency and 45% saying it is a major problem.
This could spell trouble for Democrats in future elections, as evidenced by U.S. Rep.-elect Tom Suozzi's recent victory in New York's 3rd Congressional District, where he ran on a pledge to take on the border crisis.
While the exact details of the potential executive action are still unclear, a White House official confirmed that President Biden is exploring multiple policy options. These actions could include reinstating Trump-era policies like "Remain In Mexico," which Biden has already faced criticism for rolling back. With the border crisis intensifying and the pressure mounting from both sides, it remains to be seen how Biden will ultimately respond to the situation.