In an executive order lambasted by both sides of the aisle, President Biden took steps to remedy his negative polling on the immigration issue.
In a move that drew criticism from both the right and the left President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Tuesday granting himself power to close the border when illegal crossings surpass 2,500 per day. Border Patrol detentions averaged 4,296 per day for the month of April.
Since assuming office, President Biden rolled back immigration enforcement, defunded wall construction and has stood behind his appointment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas despite the latter’s impeachment by the House of Representatives.
Current polls show the president significantly underwater on the immigration issue with nearly 70% of Americans disapproving of his performance on the issue.
Republican leadership immediately lambasted the executive order as political theatre and too-little, too-late. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) took to X to address Biden’s delay in action and followed up calling Tuesday’s order “window dressing.” Ted Cruz (D-Tx.) demanded of President Biden “Why didn’t you do this years ago” while the Heritage Foundation called it “unserious.”
The Progressive Left jumped on the bandwagon blasting Biden’s decision to take this action in during the month of June – Immigrant Heritage Month and “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Min.) called the order “Cruel.”
Gallup polls shows immigration to be the top issue for American voters for three straight months in 2024, with 48% of Republicans and 25% of Independents citing it as the most important issue in the November 5 election.
