Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly confronted House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). The confrontation was just another episode of partisan conflict between Republicans and Democrats over immigration policy. This was later followed by criticism from Wyoming Senator John Barrasso towards the Biden administration’s immigration policies during his appearance on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” with Maria Bartiromo.
Why does it matter
Republicans constantly accuse the Biden administration and the federal government for not doing their job in securing the nation’s borders. In recent months, a growing number of prominent Republicans have voiced their concern that the current leadership’s policies not only fail to curb illegal immigration but actually encourage it by offering numerous free services to undocumented immigrants. These services come with a high financial cost that has now begun to negatively impact areas flooded with migrants.
Immigration policies and the presidential elections
Illegal immigration has surged to the forefront of the presidential campaign. This was additionally fueled by polls indicating a growing concern among Americans about the impact of the illegal immigration on their lives. With the Biden administration providing numerous free services to migrants across the nation, this issue has become a primary concern for independent voters. Most of them are concerned of the financial and social effects associated with current immigration policies.
Wyoming Senator Barrasso criticizing Biden
On Sunday, Senator John Barrasso from Wyoming said that if Donald Trump becomes president again, he will make sure the United States bring illegal immigration to a “screeching halt.”. Trump becoming president, according to Barrasso, will drastically reduce illegal immigration. He further emphasized how important it is for the country the Republicans to control both the House and the Senate in protecting the southern border. Barrasso’s support for Trump comes shortly after the former president endorsed him for Senate Republican whip few days earlier.
“We need a better border president, we don’t have that now,” Barrasso said on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. “We have a president that allowed nine million illegal immigrants into the country. He said he needs more laws. He doesn’t need more laws. He needs to stop abusing the laws. President Trump and Republicans understand that.”
The murder of Laken Riley
Furthermore, Barrasso mentioned the Laken Riley case. He criticized President Joe Biden for apologizing after using the term “illegal” immigrant for the main suspect in Riley’s murder case, who is from Venezuela. Biden later said he should have used the term “undocumented.” Barrasso argued that the suspect was in the country illegally and that this happened under the policies of Biden’s administration.
“You put the Republicans in charge, and what we’re going to get is we’re going to be able to defund the things that the Democrats have been doing,” Barrasso said. “The flights into the United States, the things that’s enticing illegal immigrants to come here. It’s the free food, the free hotels, the free money. That’s all going to come to a screeching halt if we have Donald Trump, Republican majority in the Senate, and a Republican majority in the House.”
Many Republicans have strongly criticized President Biden for changing his language from “illegal” to “undocumented” when talking about the suspect in Riley’s murder. House Speaker Mike Johnson suggesting that the president was “cowering to his base.” He also said that Biden should apologize to the parents of Riley.
Donald Trump endorsed Sen. John Barrasso
Last week, Trump described Barrasso as a “fantastic senator” when giving his “complete and total endorsement” to the Wyoming senator for the Senate Republican whip.
“John Barrasso is a fantastic Senator for the incredible people of Wyoming,” President Trump posted on his social media site, Truth Social, on March 14.
Barrasso comments backfire
However, not everyone was convinced of Barrasso’s remarks. Several users on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressed their disappointment with Republicans’ refusal to support the border bill in February. When Barrasso shared parts of the Fox Interview on the platform, users commented:
We need a better border president.
@JoeBiden says he needs more laws to secure the border. He doesn't need more laws – he needs to stop abusing the laws we have.@SundayFutures pic.twitter.com/az9iB0D7Bq— Sen. John Barrasso (@SenJohnBarrasso) March 17, 2024
“And MaGa Republicans need to stop blocking reforms,” @JumboElliott76 commented.
“We need less posting and more doing from everyone,” another user commented.
A user that goes by the username @Temkai said, “Blame, point fingers, but never propose specific solutions,”, while Sara Richard said, “We need a better Senator from Wyoming.”
Several other users joined the conversation accusing the Senator for ‘doing nothing (in securing the border”, another asked Barrasso to retire, and one even asked the Senator: “Pass a law. Isn’t that your job”.
Pass a law. Isn’t that your job
— Jay A (@Jay_A209) March 17, 2024
