Senate Republicans vote against advancing a bipartisan border security deal
After months of negotiations between a bipartisan Senate committee and the Biden administration, Senate Republicans blocked passage of a border security deal that was part of an emergency foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region on Wednesday afternoon.
The bill had marked the most significant attempt at immigration reform in over a decade and highlighted bipartisan efforts to affect real change. “Although it has its shortcomings, the bill represents a promising effort from Republicans and Democrats to work together on serious border and immigration challenges. On the whole, we support its passage.” Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum said as news of a possible bill blockage arose. “Americans strongly support solutions, and not just for the border. Clearly, we need more resources for the border and communities that are welcoming migrants. We also need asylum reforms, alternate legal pathways, and broader reforms to address immigrants already here and contributing to our businesses, schools and economy. That includes resettled Afghans, Dreamers and TPS holders, and the farm workforce. The road may yet be long, but this bill must be a beginning, not an end.”
The Senate now plans to move forward on a funding package that does not include border security provisions. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is in the process of drafting executive action measures to address illegal migration at the border.
January refugee resettlement numbers released
According to the refugee resettlement report, the U.S. settled 9,200 refugees in January 2024. This marks an increase of 2,236 refugees from December 2023. The last time the U.S. resettled more than 9,000 refugees was in October 2016. If the country continues on this trajectory of resettlement numbers of 9, 200, it would resettle 104,593 refugees in fiscal year 2024. In order to reach the settlement cap of 125,000, the U.S. would need to resettle 11,751 refugees each month through September 2024.