Sen. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) has been actively promoting a potential border deal, scrambling to win support from his Republican colleagues in both the Senate and the House.
However, the deal, which has not yet been finalized, has sparked significant disagreement and controversy within the ranks of the Republican Party.
Lankford, the GOP's lead negotiator, intensified his efforts on Wednesday.
According to The Hill, Lankford led a critical meeting of the Senate GOP and also spoke at the weekly Republican Study Committee (RSC) luncheon. The RSC is known to represent the largest faction of Conservatives in the House of Representatives, a group that has traditionally had strong views on immigration policies.
Lankford's increased diplomatic efforts come at a strategic time, just days before the bill's expected release. The GOP's decision to rely on the Oklahoma senator's negotiating skills represents a huge gamble, given the controversial nature of the proposals.
According to FOX News, the deal Lankford has been negotiating with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer includes several very contentious elements:
- Significant increase in the number of green cards, adding an additional 50,000 cards annually.
- Providing work permits for adult children of H-1B visa holders.
- Immediate issuance of work permits to every illegal alien released from custody.
- Government-funded legal representation for certain unaccompanied alien children (UACs) and aliens deemed mentally incompetent.
- Allowing 5,000 immigrants per day into the United States or 150,000 per month.
- Restricting the parole of individuals who enter the country illegally between designated ports of entry.
These proposals, especially increasing green cards and per diems for thousands of illegal immigrants, are viewed by many as a stark departure from traditional Republican positions on border security and immigration control.
Critics say such measures could burden public resources and potentially jeopardize national security.
Furthermore, the inclusion of taxpayer-funded legal aid for certain groups of foreigners is a controversial use of public funds, raising debates about resource prioritization.
The backlash from conservative circles and the broader Republican community indicates a difficult road ahead for Senator Lankford.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) expressed his strong opposition to the Senate amnesty bill on his social media account, calling it a “nightmare.”
He criticized the bill for granting legal status to illegal aliens who took advantage of the system and violated the law.
“The Senate amnesty bill is a nightmare. It gives legal status to illegal aliens who have gamed our system and violated our laws. It rolls out the red carpet for 5,000 illegal immigrants every day Forever. It's hard enough to stop the state-sponsored far-left invasion of our southern border, and it gets even harder when you pull Senator Langford's daggers from your back. “I oppose the amnesty deal in the Senate and will work to see it defeated,” Gaetz wrote.
The Senate amnesty bill is a nightmare.
It gives legal status to illegal aliens who have gamed our system and violated our laws. It rolls out the red carpet for 5,000 illegal immigrants every day forever.
It's hard enough to stop the state-sponsored far-left invasion of our South… pic.twitter.com/emBhzSfXVj
– Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) January 13, 2024
Likewise, Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) expressed disbelief and concern on social media.
“How can this be imagined?! 5,000 per day is 150,000/month. The unprecedented threshold was breached in January 2021 after a post-election surge. Lankford proposes institutionalizing the flow at a crisis level? As a 'border security' proposal?”
How could you even imagine this?! 5000 per day is 150000/month. The unprecedented threshold was breached in January 2021 after a post-election surge. Lankford suggests institutionalizing flow at a crisis level? As a “border security” proposal? https://t.co/JtwTWHlzSI pic.twitter.com/yhJVoeBKd3
– representative. Dan Bishop (@RepDanBishop) January 13, 2024
In a related development, Jackson LaMere, founder of Pastors4Trump, has filed a petition aiming to recall Senator Lankford. The move reflects growing dissatisfaction among certain groups with Lankford's stance and actions regarding proposed immigration reforms.
Join me in signing the petition to recall James Lankford: jacksonlahmeyer.com/recalljameslankford
