Jim Jordan Wants One Sentence Added to Border Bill

GOP Representative Jim Jordan wants one sentence added to any new legislation on the U.S.-Mexico border and funding for the federal government.

"I think we have to put on the appropriation bills, the bills that fund the government, we have to put a simple sentence: Time out on all of this, no money can be used to process or release into the country any new migrants.'" Jordan said on Fox News' Fox & Friends.

The Ohio Republican advocates a "time-out" and a stop to admitting migrants who are seeking asylum. He said the United States is on pace to allow 12 million new people in during President Joe Biden's time in office.

"When you're on pace to get to 12 million new people in Biden's presidency, you should probably say time out.... Maybe we should just stop and say, 'If you're coming for asylum, we're not gonna let you in, we're gonna call a time-out on this,'" Jordan said.

He added that a new president, such as Donald Trump, could help respond to the border crisis.

Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for comment.

The Context

Jordan's remarks come amid congressional consideration of legislation addressing border security and the influx of migrants, which Republicans have blamed on Biden. Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently slammed Biden's border policies and has kept razor wire along the border near Eagle Pass, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling ordering it to be removed.

Since Abbott's defiance of the order, over 20 Republican governors from across the country have spoken out in support of his decision.

"President Biden and his Administration have left Americans and our country completely vulnerable to unprecedented illegal immigration pouring across the Southern border," the group of 25 GOP governors said in a statement last week. "We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border."

What We Know

According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the number of Southwest land border encounters has continued to increase over the past several months, with just over 300,000 reported in December.

On Tuesday, while speaking to reporters before departing the White House, Biden was asked about the border crisis.

"I've done all I can do," he said. "Just give me the power. I've asked from the very day I got into office. Give me the Border Patrol. Give me the people—give me the people, the judges. Give me the people who can stop this and make it work right."

Views

A proposed border security bill is being discussed in the Senate, but many House Republicans have expressed distaste opposition. The bill aims to close the border after a threshold of 5,000 migrants illegally crossing every day is reported.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said last weekend that Biden can "take executive action immediately to reverse the catastrophe he has created" and does not need legislation from Congress.

What's Next

Immigration is likely to remain a major topic in the 2024 presidential election. An Associated Press-NORC poll recently found that the number of Americans concerned about immigration increased from 27 percent to 35 percent from last year.

Another poll, from Harvard CAPS/Harris, found that 35 percent of Americans rated immigration as the most important issue the country is facing, up 7 percent from last month and ahead of "price increases/inflation," the second most important issue.

Update 2/1/24, 8:29 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information.