Congress’ Most Recent Immigration Policy Update

This year being an election year only increases political pressures for public office holders. Congress has found themselves once again at the boiling point of it. Many proposed bills still need to be voted on by Congress before becoming official public policy. All this is being scrambled to completion before voters head to their ballot boxes for a partial revamp of both the Senate and House of Representatives. 

One of the “big ticket items” on the congressional agenda is that of the impending migrant crisis. The growing in the number of people coming in only makes this bill impact more people.

Looking Back on Senate Debate

Wednesday, January 17th, saw what could soon be a new bipartisan immigration deal. This long debated topic within Senate will be interesting to see if a compromise will finally be made.  

This policy proposal is in response to the influx of immigrants coming from War-stricken areas in Ukraine. The significant amount of controversy surrounding this war and the involvement of foreign aid has made compromises difficult to happen. In recent votes, both sides of the aisle are heavily divided on such issues. 

This policy is being made in response to a conflict crisis between Russia and Ukraine. It is a striking reminder that the everyday person is the most at risk during times of conflict. 

The New Proposal to Debate

Most recently, an alternative proposal has been made within the Senate by Republican representatives.

The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has stated in an NBC interview that “we have been waiting for months… we cannot wait any longer. The reason we are going to send the new Israel package over is because the time is urgent and we need to take care of it.”

It is during times of crisis that begs the question, how change can be so desperately needed yet happen so slowly? Will there be a policy made soon to address the increased number of those entering from the southern border? Will comparable aid be granted to those seeking asylum? We will just have to wait and see.