Statement by Congressman Rob Menendez on Senate Border Deal

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Rob Menendez released the following statement on the Senate Border Deal:

“It is deeply disappointing that our southern border challenges are being used to score political points by Republicans. And while we should approach these issues in a bipartisan manner, it is clear that the Senate Border Deal is built on flawed policy instead of comprehensive solutions.

“Here are the deal’s failings: It would enact permanent changes to our asylum system, making it harder for migrants escaping violence in their home country to have their cases heard, increase funding for immigration detention, and pave the way for Trump-era border wall construction. And it acceded to GOP demands to leverage aid for our close allies in exchange for unacceptable changes to our immigration policy.

“But perhaps the worst part of this deal is what it does not include like pathways to legal status for DREAMers, farmworkers, or immigrants who have been stuck in our broken system for decades. 

“These flawed policies are not surprising when the Congressional Hispanic Caucus – whose communities will be most impacted by these provisions – was not made part of the negotiations for this deal. 

“For these reasons and so many more, I will not support this legislation if it were to come to the House floor for a vote.”