Editorial: The New York Times

• President Biden's readiness to sign a border deal intended to make migrant entry into the United States harder is a necessary step to restoring public confidence in the federal government's ability to control immigration.
• The influx of asylum-seekers at the southern border has outpaced the government's capability to fairly address their claims.
• Democrats have been slow to respond to the growing calls for action from mayors, governors, and voters.
• Current immigration legislation is being stymied by Republican opposition, including their presidential nominee Donald Trump.
• House Republicans appear uninterested in drafting laws and have given in to Mr. Trump’s demands.
• Migrant entry at the southern border is at an all-time high, estimated at 2.5 million people in fiscal year 2023.
• A deal under construction in the Senate would raise the benchmark for asylum claims and provide funding for faster decisions.
• The proposal would also include a provision limiting the number of migrants able to request asylum on a given day.

Conclusion: While it is unfortunate that President Biden has taken this long to speak forcefully on this matter, he is right to nudge Congress towards a deal. Regardless of the fate of this legislation, what the Congress can and should do should not be lost sight of: investing requisite resources and providing needed powers to regain control over immigration.

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