The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping immigration bill to build more US-Mexico border walls and impose new restrictions on asylum seekers.
The legislation passed 219 to 213, with all present democrats and two republicans voting against it but it has virtually no chance of becoming law. Democrats, who have a narrow hold on the senate, have decried the aggressive measures in the bill as “cruel” and “antiimmigrant,” and bidden has already promised he would veto it. House Republicans voted on the 213-page bill, the same day as the expiration of Title 42, a public health emergency rule that allowed border authorities to quickly return many migrants who crossed the border illegally.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed that the current problems at the border are the result of congress’ inability to reform immigration law. Republicans have sought to slam Biden for the increase in illegal immigration during his tenure. Passing the bill would ensure House Republican lawmakers can say they did their part to deliver on a campaign promise to secure the border.
