Biden says he hopes to see ‘peace and security’ if he visits the southern border next week and will make a migration speech TOMORROW – after a surge in migrants and courts keep Title 42 in place
- Biden heads to Mexico City next week for a ‘three amigos’ summit
- He said it was his ‘intention’ to visit the border
- Title 42 authority was set to expire but is in place after Supreme Court action
- Comes amid intense focus on border crisis and thousands crossing daily
President Joe Biden said Wednesday he hoped to see ‘peace and security’ if he visits the southern border next week, as he plans to make a speech on migration Thursday from the White House.
Biden was asked Wednesday on the South Lawn what he hoped to see if he made a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border, his first as president.
‘Peace and security,’ he first answered. Before saying, ‘No, I’m going to see what is going on. I’m going to be making a speech tomorrow on border security and you’ll hear more about it tomorrow.’
Earlier, as he departed Kentucky and Ohio, he confirmed he was preparing to make a trip.
‘That’s my intention, we’re working out the details now,’ Biden told reporters.
His comment followed a report in the Wall Street Journal that he was ‘strongly considering’ a trip there.
President Joe Biden said Wednesday he hoped to see ‘peace and security’ if he visits the southern border next week, as he plans to make a speech on migration Thursday from the White House
Earlier he told reporters as he departed Kentucky and Ohio that it was his ‘intention’ to make a border trip next week, as he’s already due in Mexico for the ‘Three Amigos’ summit
Biden fielded questions throughout his first two years in office about why had not done a border visit.
His comment came a day after White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said ‘misinformation’ about immigration could help human smugglers.
It is a politically treacherous move.
Vice President Kamala Harris took hits when she told migrants on a trip to Guatemala ‘do not come’ to the U.S. Then she contended with blowback when she called the border ‘secure’ last year as migrant arrests passed 2 million.
The Trump-era Title 42 authority, used to return migrants citing the COVID pandemic, was set to expire before Christmas, then got extended after Chief Justice John Roberts issued a stay of a lower court ruling.
The Supreme Court ruled after Christmas that the authority will be kept in place indefinitely, with the case set to be argued next month.
President Joe Biden and Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Puerval eat part of their orders as they visit Just Q’in BBQ in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Biden commented on the border as he made a trip to view the Brent Spence Bridge with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
Big river: Biden appeared with Democrats and Republicans in Covington, Kentucky. A border trip would meet one demand of his GOP critics. Here he appears on stage with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, former Ohio Senator Rob Portman, Ohio Senator Sherod Brown, and Senator Mitch McConnell
Biden’s trip comes after thousands of people have been crossing the border daily amid confusion over Title 42
Vice President Kamala Harris walks with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and former Spokesperson Symone Sanders on her trip to the border in 2021
So far Biden’s only itinerary is to visit Mexico City, where he will meet President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Canadian President Justin Trudeau at the re-started ‘three amigos’ summit.
Immigration is certain to be on the agenda, with thousands of migrants crossing the southern border each day.
By going to the border, Biden is making a concession to critics, and will be expecting hits.
The RNC has been asking for months when Biden last visited the border. In late November, Jean-Pierre said Biden had been to the border, although Fox News reported he hadn’t been there as president or during two terms as vice president but had driven through El Paso in 2008.
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