Senator Joe Manchin called the situation in a rapidly spiraling US border a “crisis” – the first prominent Democrat to label it as such.
Speaking to CNN on Monday night, Manchin (D-WV) discussed the increase in migrants towards the border, saying: “Any message sent – has been misinterpreted.”
“It is a crisis,” he continued. “Oh, it’s a crisis.”
By undoing former President Donald Trump’s border initiatives, President Biden unleashed a flood of illegal immigrants from Central America and Mexico on the U.S. border, including thousands of unaccompanied children.
In his first month in office, Biden completed the construction of the Trump signature border wall and began to end the “Stay in Mexico” policy, according to which about 71,000 Central American asylum seekers awaited decisions in Mexico.
He issued an order stating the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which grants work permits and deportation protection to people illegally brought to the United States as minors.
He also proposed legislation that would create a path for citizenship for the approximately 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States.
Manchin, who supported the failed attempt at immigration reform in 2013, said he would still support the president’s efforts.
Insisting that the border was not facing a crisis, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said earlier this month that the problems the agency faced should be blamed on the previous administration – despite data showing migrants flooding the border because they believe Biden you will receive with open arms.
The government’s response to immigration-related issues so far has caused considerable outrage among Republicans.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki seemed to acknowledge the worsening situation without calling it a crisis, rather than saying, “clearly the numbers [of migrants at the border] they are huge. This is a major challenge and is certainly a reflection of the use of all levels of the federal government to help resolve this. “
“I will say that FEMA is there to help ensure that people who are on the border, who are crossing the border” have access to Health and Human Services shelters, he added.