Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) believes the Biden administration’s latest move on immigration is bad news for the country, but good news for the Republican Party.
In a tweet, Romney reacted to news that the administration would end the policy known as Title 42, which let U.S. border agents expel migrants in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in May.
“Worst domestic news today: the Biden Administration will admit double or more the number of ‘undocumented’ immigrants at the border, starting May 28,” Romney wrote.
However, he sees an upside to the decision.
“Best GOP political news today: the same as above. (Arizona, Nevada, and more Dem senators will lose their elections),” Romney added.
Worst domestic news today: the Biden Administration will admit double or more the number of “undocumented” immigrants at the border, starting May 28.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) April 1, 2022
Best GOP political news today: the same as above. (Arizona, Nevada, and more Dem senators will lose their elections)
On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the decision to end the policy.
In a statement, it said, “After considering current public health conditions and an increased availability of tools to fight COVID-19 (such as highly effective vaccines and therapeutics), the CDC Director has determined that an Order suspending the right to introduce migrants into the United States is no longer necessary.”
The policy, which was implemented under former President Donald Trump, has been criticized by progressive lawmakers who believe it put at risk migrants who were expelled.
However, some Congressional Democrats have voiced concerns that lifting the policy could lead to a flood of migrants streaming across the border.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told CNN, “To do something that might invite a doubling, tripling, quadrupling of numbers at the border, that is not in the best interest of America, that is not in the best interest of the administration, or the people who are trying to go through the process.”
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that the country could see 18,000 migrants crossing the border a day.
As CNN notes, “Republicans have already signaled they’ll make a repeal of Title 42 a cornerstone of their midterm campaign strategy especially if the numbers at the border surge and images of packed facilities and an unmitigated crises play out in the media.”
The Senate is currently divided 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans.
If Republicans hold every seat they currently control in the midterms and pick up just one more they would flip control of the chamber.
Last year, Republicans blasted President Joe Biden as the number of migrants crossing the southern border hit a two-decade high.
According to RealClearPolitics’ average of polls, a majority of voters do not approve of the president’s handling of immigration.
Just 34% approve, while 57.6% disapprove.
