On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, House Speaker Mike Johnson vehemently criticized the Biden administration’s handling of immigration policy, describing it as “absolute madness” and a “clear and present danger” to the United States.
In a passionate speech on the House floor, his first since assuming the speaker’s role nearly 100 days ago, Johnson highlighted the growing challenges at the southern border, from Texas to New York, as waves of illegal immigrants strain community resources.
Johnson dismissed the ongoing Senate negotiations over a proposed $106 billion national security supplemental package, which includes border policy changes. He criticized the package for potentially allowing up to 5,000 migrants a day into the country, insisting that the number should be zero.
In his address, Johnson presented alarming statistics, citing record numbers of border crossings, increased fentanyl overdose deaths, and the trafficking of vulnerable women and children by Mexican cartels.
He referred to the apprehension of 361 illegal aliens on terror watch lists during the Biden administration. Johnson emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing congressional testimony from FBI Director Christopher Wray about 1.5 million individuals, termed “getaways,” who evaded detection upon entering the U.S.
Johnson also highlighted the release of a similar number of migrants into the country on humanitarian parole, a policy he termed “absurd.” He pointed out the long wait for court hearings, which could extend up to a decade, to determine their immigration status.
The Speaker stressed the impact of such policies on various states, including his home state of Louisiana, where fentanyl overdoses, particularly in New Orleans, are a significant concern.
The House Speaker questioned the role of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in this crisis, especially following Mayorkas’ admission earlier this month that 85% of migrants are subsequently released into the U.S.
Johnson’s statement comes in light of Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, affirming that Mayorkas had indicated the figure could be higher than 85%.
In response to these concerns, the House Homeland Security Committee has advanced two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas. Johnson announced that the House would be moving swiftly to pass them, possibly as soon as the following week.
Addressing Biden’s rollback of several Trump administration policies, Johnson criticized the President for removing measures that allowed for the immediate expulsion of some migrants and forced others to await their asylum court dates in Mexico. He drew attention to the challenges faced by Democratic leaders in major U.S. cities, such as New York City Mayor Eric Adams, in accommodating the influx of migrants.
Johnson described a recent trip to the border where he learned that cartels earn up to $3.5 million per day from trafficking migrants, particularly undocumented children, amounting to over $1 billion annually.
In response, President Biden stated on the South Lawn that he had done all he could and called for more power to address the situation, specifically asking for more Border Patrol agents, judges, and resources to tackle the issue effectively.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) echoed Johnson’s sentiments, declaring the proposed Senate supplemental bill as “dead on arrival” in the lower chamber.
