Senate Republicans, led by Florida’s Senator Marco Rubio, sent a letter on Thursday to President Joe Biden, urging him to request additional funding from Congress to extend the construction of the southern border wall.
They acknowledged President Biden’s decision to resume building a 20-mile section of the border wall in Starr County, Texas, as a response to unauthorized immigration but stressed the need for further action.
These 13 Senators noted that while the Biden administration had granted exemptions for 26 federal statutes to support the wall’s construction, it had faced criticism from progressive factions.
“Your administration’s decision to continue construction of the Trump Administration’s physical border wall is a step in combating ‘high illegal entry’ rates. With that, more must be done,” they wrote.
The administration clarified that it was using funds allocated during President Trump’s tenure for this purpose, rather than adopting a new stance on border walls.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized a multifaceted approach to border control, including advanced technology and upgraded entry points, which would require congressional funding.
“This Administration believes that effective border security requires a smarter and more comprehensive approach, including state-of the-art border surveillance technology and modernized ports of entry. We need Congress to give us the funds to implement these proven tools,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas wrote.
However, Senate Republicans argued that a physical barrier is still essential in addressing ongoing border challenges and urged President Biden to revise his funding request to include extra funds for construction.
They expressed concern that the current plan only covers approximately 20 miles of new border wall, which they deemed insufficient to address the scale of unauthorized immigration and protect American communities.
“While technology can be deployed as a useful tool on our southern border, it does not act as a physical deterrent that is required, both under the law and in the full reality of the crises that continue,” they wrote.
“Under the current proposal, approximately 20 miles of border wall will be established,” they wrote. “However, more must be done to deter unfettered illegal immigration, which is continuing at a record-breaking pace. If we are to ensure the safety of American communities, more miles of border wall must be constructed.”
This communication was endorsed by several Republican Senators, including Rick Scott, Tommy Tuberville, Mike Braun, and others, in addition to Marco Rubio.
