Biden suggests Republicans in Congress have exacerbated the migrant crisis, admitting: 'I think we need to make big changes at the border'

President Joe Biden is pointing the finger at Republicans in Congress over a wave of irregular migration after they rejected his recent request for billions in new enforcement funding.

“I've been putting pressure on them – my Republican colleagues – since I came into power. I think we need to make a big change at the border,” Biden told reporters on Saturday as he headed to Camp David.

“I am prepared to make significant changes at the border,” the president added.

After illegal crossings at the southern border with Mexico reportedly reached new record highs in December, Biden faced harsh criticism from Republicans over his handling of the situation.

But the president has pushed back, blaming Republicans in Congress for failing to pass immigration reform, and rejecting his recent request for $3.5 billion in additional funding for border enforcement and asylum processing.

A group of migrants move with a migrant caravan heading to the U.S. border on the side of the highway in Oaxaca, Mexico on January 9

“On my first day in office… I sent Congress a comprehensive piece of legislation that would completely overhaul what has long been a broken immigration system,” Biden said in remarks from the White House last week.

“But Republicans in Congress have refused to consider my comprehensive plan,” he added.

“And they rejected my recent request for an additional $3.5 billion to secure the border and money for 2,000 new asylum workers… and 100 new immigration judges so people don't have to wait years for their claims to be adjudicated. the right to legally make a claim,” Biden said.

Since Biden took office in 2021, record numbers of migrants have been caught crossing the border illegally.

The Border Patrol apprehended about 2 million migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2023, similar to record-breaking numbers during Biden's first two years in office.

During Donald Trump's Republican presidency (2017-2021), migrant arrests peaked at 852,000 in fiscal year 2019.

Republicans say Biden has encouraged migrants by easing Trump-era restrictions.

They also oppose new Biden policies that allow certain migrants to enter legally for humanitarian reasons, saying they bypass standard immigration channels.

Mexican soldiers watch as migrants, walking with the migrant caravan heading to the U.S. border, wait in line to enter the shelter in Oaxaca, Mexico on January 9.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is the target of impeachment in the House of Representatives over allegations that he encouraged illegal immigration with overly lax policies

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) listens to testimony during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing as part of a Republican-led effort to impeach Mayorkas

Border security is a core issue for Republican voters, and the party has stepped up its criticism of Biden's policies ahead of the Nov. 5 election that will determine control of the White House and Congress.

Republicans in Congress have refused to approve additional military funding for Ukraine and have threatened a possible government shutdown unless Democrats agree to strict new border controls.

They have also targeted Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas with impeachment over allegations that he encouraged illegal immigration with overly lax policies.

The Biden administration has dismissed the effort to oust Mayorkas as a political ploy, saying there are record levels of migration in the Western Hemisphere as people flee poor economic conditions, violence, corruption and extreme weather.

It is extremely rare for a U.S. Cabinet secretary to be impeached.

The only secretary ever impeached was former President Ulysses Grant's war secretary in 1876 after allegations of corruption.