FILE - In this March 13, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks during a tour as he reviews border wall prototypes in San Diego. Trump said Sunday, July 29, 2018, that he would consider shutting down the government if Democrats refuse to vote for his immigration proposals, including building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
In the midst of a government shutdown over funding of a border wall, President Trump has made an offer that the Democrats will find difficult to refuse. During a television address broadcast on January 19, the president discussed the immigration crisis at the nation’s southern border in terms of a humanitarian issue, and reiterated his commitment to forging an agreement with Democratic lawmakers.
During his address, the president repeated his request for $5.7 billion to fund the creation of “steel barriers in high-priority locations,” and pointed out that the objective of such barriers would be to divert human traffic to legal ports of entry. He then stated that he is willing to provide “three years of legislative relief for 700,000 DACA recipients brought here unlawfully by their parents,” in exchange.
Under this deal, Dreamers would be able to obtain work permits, social security numbers, and protection from deportation. The president also indicated that he would provide similar measures for immigrants who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This temporary relief will give Congress more time to create a more permanent solution for the individuals who are involved in these programs.
The Battle Over Border Security
As the government shutdown drags on, Republicans and Democrats have continued to clash over the issue of border security. While the crux of the matter appears to be funding for the border wall, it is clear the conflict is more about politics than border security.
President Trump campaigned on the promise that he would construct a wall along the southern border to prevent illegal immigration, and the Democrats leadership refuses to allow him to fulfill this vow. Indeed, many of the Democrats who are opposing the wall have voted in favor of a physical barrier at the southern border, in the past. It is clear that for the Democrats, the goal is to deny Trump a victory.
Nancy Pelosi
Recently, Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) sent a letter to President Trump rescinding her previous invitation to him to give the State of the Union address in the House of Representatives. Why? Because apparently, she was concerned about security. “Both the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security have not been funded for 26 days now — with critical departments hamstrung by furloughs,” she said, although the relevant departments have since voiced their objections.
President Trump has not yet announced whether or not he will seek other venues for delivering the State of the Union Address, but he did retaliate against Pelosi in pure Trumpian fashion. The speaker was scheduled to take a trip to visit members of NATO, and Afghanistan. Typically, a member of Congress making such a trip would be transported by the military, but hours before she was set to depart, President Trump sent her a letter stating that he was canceling her trip due to the shutdown.
Predictably, the left lashed out at Trump for his action against Pelosi, but it appears he was only holding her to the same standard he himself has followed during the shutdown. Earlier this month, he announced that he would cancel his trip to Davos, Switzerland, where he was supposed to attend the World Economic Forum.
What Will The Democrats Do?
Not all Democratic lawmakers are as gung-ho about opposing the Wall as it may seem. Some have indicated that they have other priorities and are supportive of bolstering U.S. border security. In an interview with Politico, several freshman lawmakers stated that they are not on board with Speaker Pelosi’s irrational crusade against the border wall, and are willing to bend on this particular issue if it means they can get other concessions from the Trump administration.
This is not the first time President Trump has offered amnesty to illegal residents, as part of a political bargain. In the past, he has proposed similar solutions to address the problems faced by DACA recipients and those under TPS, only to be rebuffed by the Democrats who would not have any part of a deal involving a border wall. The left has paid lip service to the idea of obtaining legal status for DACA recipients since President Obama was in office, but it appears that they are not as concerned with the plight of these individuals as they make believe.
Democrats in Congress have rejected proposals that would benefit the Dreamers on multiple occasions. Why? Because each of these bills would have provided funding for the Wall and additional border security. If their past behavior is any indication, they will likely reject Trump’s current offer.
If this happens, it could widen the divide between Democrats who are serious about helping DACA recipients and those who are only focused on impeding Trump’s agenda. In the end, it is these Dreamers – along with Americans who wish to protect the southern border – who will suffer.
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9 Comments
lazarus
“While the crux of the matter appears to be funding for the border wall, it is clear the conflict is more about politics than border security.” This is it , entirely, and not just on Border security but also on EVERY issue of government that will EVER arise. Pelosi, Schumer, Schill and every Dogpile Dem that supports them are happily flushing America down the toilet for the sole sake of the political ideology and the agenda of the Democrat Party. All for the sake of getting a check in the win column against the Patriots of America. These people are colluding with the Criminal Immigration Cartel for the sake of continuing the destruction of America with Criminal Immigration.
rockylee
It is obvious to me the reason for the Dems not supporting our President on border security is that he will actually do it. He will absolutely build the wall talked about by politicians for the last 50 plus years. There is one and only one reason to push against border security by our auctioneers turned politicians. That reason is money. Lots of money from choosing what cartel may supply children, human slaves and drug money into the US for resale. In the case of children they normally go for a starting price of $ 10,000 and go up to and even over one million dollars for the right one, often flown out of Miami to a Saudi Royal. This has gone on since the 70’s that I know of. How about a little more reporting on the realities of the front line and the money trails right to the but crease of Hillary Clinton and other “professional” politicians, not to be confused with public “servants”.
mlopez
Spot on. Stop feeding us so much click bait and focus on the real issues. Drugs are money and we know what happens when we follow either one. We see Comey sitting on the board of a bank in Honk Kong, which got caught laundering drug money and escaped with a fine. Comey made $6 million for the year.
Hillary, Corruption, conspiracy and criminality
The border wall and frontier security
Sanctuary everything, federally subsidizing illegals and integrity of the polling booth
These are the issues that determine whether America survives and so far the President hasn’t done a damn thing for whatever reasons. We didn’t vote for excuses.
olivia02
These people supported the wall years ago. Now they don’t. They can’t explain why and refuse to even try. They call walls “immoral.” But, if they are immoral now, wouldn’t they also have been immoral years ago when they voted for them? And, if such immorality is so bad, why aren’t they being punished or asking for forgiveness? Their own supporters are all to willing to label Trump as “immoral” and “hateful” for pushing for a wall, but what about when democratic politicians did the same? Weren’t they “immoral” and “hateful,” too? Will they be held accountable for such indecent behavior? I haven’t even heard it brought up. They’re more than happy to sweep it under the rug. As for the claim that walls don’t work, I would assume most of these people live in houses or apartments…with WALLS. Does the risk of criminals tunneling into their home to rob them mean that they’ve decided against having walls? No. Does the risk of a criminal breaking in through the window mean that they’ve decided to have a home without windows? No.
So, these people, who live inside of houses and apartments, surrounded by walls, claim that they’re “immoral,” even though they live in a dwelling bordered by them and voted for them for our country several years ago. They tell us that it’s a travesty that government workers aren’t getting paid, while they refuse to agree to walls that they previously agreed to, even as they live in houses and apartments are made of them…
I honestly believe that this address was just Trump’s way of saying: “See, you can’t reason with them.” — so that later on, if (more likely “when”) he has to declare a national emergency to build the wall, he can bring this up and say: “I really did try.”
mlopez
I agree with you and applaud him for that much. Now he and we have to gird up for actual war. Will it get built, or won’t it? Schit or get off the pot Mr. President.
disqus_GcGBiCsdjy
The Democrats are all about trying to hurt President Trump. He has just proven that will not be the case. Once they turn this offer down, he will just declare a National Emergency and have the military build the wall. We have plenty of money in the National Emergency fund (hurricanes, earthquakes, and forest fires come from that fund) already allocated by Congress.
mlopez
I sure hope so. So far he still hasn’t done a damn thing.
Pilot Dave
Nasty Nan from Fran has nothing to offer – its her way or the highway….. She’s just pissed off President Trump grounded her USAF jet to take her and her minions on a world tour at our expense….
There is very little the US Constitution requires of Congress each year. Passing a budget is one of them. It does not say “balanced”… Yet, we have not had a budget since G W Bush !! These CS or CR (continuous spending or resolution) are not a budget.
Why do we pay for a Congress that does not do their basic job ? Use the savings from these “NON Essential” Federal functions to fund the WALL.. build it TALL
mlopez
Yeah buddy. Maybe someone should tell the President ?