Biden says he intends to visit the border for the first time since taking office

President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he intends to visit the US-Mexico border for the first time since taking office, after nearly two years of Republican criticism of his administration over the immigration crisis.

Biden revealed the possible trip while speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One in Kentucky. Asked if he will go to the border, Biden said: “That’s my intention, we’re working out the details now.”

The president is scheduled to attend the North American Leaders Summit in Mexico City on Monday and Tuesday.

Republicans have repeatedly ridiculed Biden for not visiting the southern border and have also said that the issue of migrants is not a priority for his presidency.

The Biden administration suffered a legal setback in implementing its immigration policies when the Supreme Court ruled last month that Title 42, a Trump-era immigration policy that allows authorities to quickly remove asylum seekers in the border, will remain in effect for now. The administration had tried to end that policy.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed Title 42 on Tuesday, saying the administration is moving forward with preparations for when the policy is finally removed so that officials “manage the border in a safe manner.” , orderly and humane”.

“However, to truly fix our broken immigration system, we need Congress to act,” he added. “We saw the president on his first day in office put out a comprehensive immigration policy, and he did it to show how important this was, how much of a priority it was to him.”

A trip to the border would come as House Republicans are prepared to increase oversight of the Biden administration, with a particular focus on the border.