Senator Joe Manchin called the rapidly spiraling situation on the US border a “crisis” – the first prominent Democrat to label it as such.
Speaking to CNN Monday evening, Manchin (D-WV) discussed the increase in migrants heading to the border, saying, “Whatever message was sent – it was certainly misinterpreted.”
“It’s a crisis,” he continued. “Oh it’s a crisis.”
By reversing former President Donald Trump’s border initiatives, President Biden unleashed a flood of Central American and Mexican illegal migrants on the US border, including thousands of unaccompanied children.
In his first month in office, Biden finished construction of Trump’s signature border wall and began to end the “Stay in Mexico” policy, according to which approximately 71,000 Central American asylum seekers in Mexico were awaiting rulings.
He issued an order confirming the 2012 Delayed Action for the Arrival of Children Program, which grants work permits and protection from deportation to people who have been brought to the US illegally as minors.
He has also proposed legislation that would pave the way to citizenship for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the US.
Manchin, who backed the failed immigration reform in 2013, said he would still support the president’s efforts.
Homeland Security Minister Alejandro Mayorkas stressed that the border was not facing a crisis and said earlier this month that the problems facing the agency should be attributed to the previous government – despite data showing migrants are flooding the border because they think Biden will welcome them with open arms. .
The government’s response to immigration issues has so far sparked outrage among Republicans.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki spoke to reporters on Monday and appeared to acknowledge the escalating situation without calling it a crisis, but instead said, “Clear the numbers. [of migrants at the border] are huge. This is a major challenge, and it certainly reflects the use of every level of the federal government to address that. “
“I will say that FEMA is there to make sure that the people who are on the border, who come across the border,” have access to health shelters and human services, she added.