Biden Finally Admits ‘Massive Changes’ Needed at Border: ‘Ready To Act’

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On Friday, President Biden admitted to reporters that the U.S.-Mexico border is not secure, contradicting claims made by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and endorsing “massive changes” in immigration policy.

Following remarks from a bipartisan group of mayors in the White House East Room, Biden was asked whether the frontier was secure for which he responded simply, “No, it’s not.”

The 81-year-old Biden said during his speech that he was hopeful that Senate negotiators would announce a compromise next week on border policy as part of a broader supplemental spending request worth approximately $106 billion, which would finance military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

“I believe we need significant policy changes at the border, including changes in our asylum system to ensure that we have the authorities we need to control the border. I’m ready to act,” the president said.

“Now the question is for the [House] Speaker [Mike Johnson] and the House Republicans: Are they ready to act as well?” Biden added.

“They have to choose whether they want to solve a problem or keep weaponizing the issue to score political points against the president. I’m ready to solve the problem. I really am,” he added. “Massive changes, and I mean it sincerely.”

Biden did not specify what asylum policy changes he was referring to, and it is still unknown what kind of changes would be simultaneously palatable to the White House, Senate Democrats and House Republicans.

The current policy allows nearly all migrants who illegally cross the border to enter the U.S. while awaiting backlogged asylum proceedings, entitling them to work permits after an initial wait period.

The Biden Administration has been largely responsible for tearing down restrictions on illegal immigration, including former President Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, which required asylum seekers to await their case rulings while remaining south of the border.

Now, as his approval rating sinks ever lower, Biden has expressed willingness to get tough on illegal immigration, after December saw an all-time high in illegal crossings, capping a record-breaking calendar year.

Mayorkas, whose Department of Homeland Security administers border policy, outraged Republicans in the spring of last year by repeatedly claiming “the border is secure” as record numbers of foreigners crossed illegally.

“It is my testimony that the border is secure, and we are working every day and night to increase its security. The challenges that we are experiencing at the border cannot be overstated.”

Biden has repeatedly defended his DHS chief in the face of House Republican efforts to impeach and remove him, despite apparently disavowing Mayorkas’ claims.