It has seemed at times that our political parties have decided that immigration and border security are issues best left unsolved — so they can continue campaigning and raising money on them. But there are real problems affecting real people that deserve real solutions.
Rep. Chip Roy’s (R-Texas) “Border Safety and Security Act of 2023,” H.R. 29, which currently has 64 cosponsors, was supposed to go directly to the floor for a vote instead of having to move through the regular legislative process. But concerns about the bill from within the Republican Party prevented this from happening.
H.R. 29 could end “catch and release,” but its provisions are so extreme that even Republicans are objecting to it.
Another way to make the bill more palatable — and more likely to pass with some Democratic support (a requirement in the Senate) — would be to add a DREAM Act component.
An overwhelming majority of voters across the political spectrum support legislation for the DREAMers. Adding a DREAM Act component would show that the Republicans are willing to support legalization programs they consider reasonable when they are paired with effective border security measures.
The reality is both sides must compromise on some points if they want to address the very real problems we’re facing.
That includes Republicans, who have to decide whether they really want border security — or just want to kick the can into the next campaign fundraising season.