President Joe Biden’s attended a virtual meeting on today with Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admitted the border situation as being a “challenge.”
Mayorkas said the administration is exploring ways for illegal immigrant families who were separated, to be reunited and live in the United States if they choose.
“We hope to be in a position to give them the election,” stated Mayorkas using an odd phrasing.
Biden faces pressure from the far left who appear to oppose any type “confinement”. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., last week criticized the reopening of a shelter to house unaccompanied teenagers crossing the border from Mexico. Such shelters were opened during the Obama administration.
“This is not okay, never has been okay, never will be okay – no matter the administration or party,” she tweeted.
In remarks at CPAC on Sunday, Trump urged Republicans to block Biden’s sweeping immigration legislation which includes citizenship for roughly 11 million illegal aliens living in the U.S.
“Border security is just one of the many issues on which the new administration has already betrayed the American people,” Trump said.
Mexican President, López Obrador has his own proposal. He’s expected to talk to Biden about a “Bracero”-style labor program that would allow Mexicans to temporarily live in the United States. He’ll argue that the U.S. economy needs Mexico’s young and strong workers to boost its aging workforce.
Asked Monday if Biden is receptive to that idea, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki declined to say, while noting that such a plan would likely have to be approved by Congress.
In addition to immigration issues, the two leaders are also expected to discuss climate change and the pandemic.
Any request from López Obrador for the U.S. to share COVID-19 vaccines with Mexico will be declined while Biden focuses on getting U.S. citizens vaccinated, Psaki said.
