U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer unveiled a $118.28 billion global security package on Sunday night, which includes a significant overhaul of immigration laws negotiated by a bipartisan group of senators.
Schumer, a Democrat from New York, emphasized the necessity of U.S. aid for countries like Ukraine and Israel in the face of multiple challenges from adversaries seeking to disrupt democracy and expand authoritarian influence worldwide.
The comprehensive package, spanning nearly 400 pages, incorporates bipartisan immigration legislation aimed at addressing various aspects of border security and immigration policy. Some key provisions of the immigration legislation include:
- Raising the standards for migrants claiming asylum.
- Clarifying the White House’s parole authority to grant temporary protections to migrants.
- Establishing procedures to shut down the border during particularly active times.
- Ending the practice of allowing migrants to reside in the U.S. while awaiting immigration court hearings.
- Senate Republicans had insisted on linking changes in immigration policy with the global aid package.
In terms of security assistance, the package allocates $60 billion to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and $14.1 billion in aid for Israel. Additionally, $10 billion is designated for humanitarian assistance to civilians in conflict zones worldwide, including Gaza, the West Bank, and Ukraine.
The bipartisan immigration provisions, negotiated by the White House and Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), represent the most significant changes to immigration law in nearly four decades. However, the path to enacting these changes faces challenges in both the Senate and the House.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana, has already indicated that the Senate bill is unlikely to receive a vote in the House. Some House members have criticized certain provisions of the legislation, expressing concerns about potential effects on immigration levels.
The bill also addresses border funding, allocating $20.23 billion to enhance border operations, implement new border policies, and combat the flow of narcotics into the U.S.
While the Senate language reflects bipartisan efforts, House Republicans have opposed new immigration legislation, attributing the immigration challenges to President Joe Biden’s policies.
Votes on the package could occur as early as Wednesday in the Senate, but enacting it into law will be an uphill battle. Despite Biden’s support for the deal, his administration faces criticism over its handling of immigration issues, particularly the surge in migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The release of the immigration bill text and global aid package coincides with House Republicans’ push to impeach U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. However, the outcome of such efforts remains uncertain given the slim majority of House Republicans and Democratic control of the Senate.
Overall, the proposed legislation represents a significant attempt to address border security and immigration challenges while providing crucial support to countries facing conflict and humanitarian crises.
