Golden statement on text of bipartisan border security deal

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement on the bipartisan border security deal, the details of which were released by negotiators on Sunday: 

“Mainers expect us to deal with the border crisis, not kick the can down the road while fentanyl pours into our country and border agents are overwhelmed by migrants,” Golden said. “There’s a lot of misinformation circulating about this bill, but the reality is that it would make our country safer, secure the border, and provide aid to our strategic allies in Israel and Ukraine to support their fights against the terrorist organization Hamas and Vladimir Putin. It would be the strongest set of border reforms this country has seen in years, and I support it. 

“Two things are true: First, America must have a strong border, while providing a legal and predictable immigration process for those who would enter legally, including people facing threats of violence and death from drug cartels and other criminals. Second, we must be reliable partners to our strategic allies. This bill advances both goals.

“This bill includes my proposal to reestablish the Title 42 authority necessary for the president to immediately expel unlawful immigrants, and it would provide funding to hire more border agents and improve systems for dealing with the influx of migrants at the southern border. It also would strengthen the standard for determining the legitimacy of asylum claims, while streamlining the process — including work authorization — for legitimate asylum-seekers.

“It would also deliver needed aid to our allies in Israel and Ukraine for their fights against the terrorist organization Hamas and Vladimir Putin, plus humanitarian aid for Palestinians and Ukrainians suffering because of these conflicts.

“The National Border Patrol Council, the union that twice endorsed Donald Trump for president, has endorsed this bill. If it is good enough for the men and women who protect our border every day, it should be good enough for Speaker Johnson. He should let us do our jobs and vote on this bill.”

 

###