AOC Pushes Against Biden Order to Stop Border Crossings

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has voiced opposition to President Biden's reported intentions to issue an executive order aimed at addressing the surge of migrant crossings on the southern border.

The congresswoman likened such action to the policies of former President Donald Trump, who is anticipated to be Biden's opponent in the 2024 election.

'Squad' member AOC leads bipartisan charge against Biden's executive order to stop border crossings: 'Doing Trump impressions' https://t.co/BC0PvmGODp via @nypost

— Dee Craig (@deannamcraig) February 22, 2024

"Doing Trump impressions isn't how we beat Trump," stated the congresswoman from the Bronx and Queens during an appearance on X late Wednesday.

"Seeking asylum is a legal right of all people. In the face of authoritarian threat, we should not buckle on our principles — we should commit to them," she added.

Ocasio-Cortez's remarks followed a CNN report suggesting that Biden, 81, may consider tightening asylum screening criteria and potentially closing the border if daily migrant crossings exceed 8,500 or if an average of 5,000 migrants enter per day over a week-long period.

The issue of border security has become a focal point for voters, particularly as public polling leading up to the Nov. 5 general election indicates it as a top concern.

Illegal border crossings have surged to record levels during Biden's presidency, with over 7.2 million individuals having crossed the southern border since he assumed office, according to US Customs and Border Protection data.

Approximately 85% of these individuals are released into the country to await immigration court proceedings, contributing to a backlog of more than 3 million cases. Additionally, an estimated 1.8 million individuals, referred to as "gotaways," have entered the US without being apprehended.

Former President Trump reportedly plans to address the crisis through measures including mass deportations and increased military presence along the southern border.

The White House has attributed the need for such executive action to the failure of a bipartisan Senate bill, similar to the proposed order, and to the Trump-era Title 42 policy, which allowed for the rapid expulsion of migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The potential executive order may also involve implementing a "last in, first out" policy for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to prioritize recent migrant admissions for deportation.