Immigration talks collapse, threatening to sink aid to Israel and Ukraine

Source: NBC News

Immigration talks collapse, threatening to sink aid to Israel and Ukraine

Senate negotiations on tougher asylum and parole laws broke down. Republicans say they will block Biden's security and foreign aid request without adequate immigration changes.

Dec. 4, 2023, 4:23 PM EST / Updated Dec. 4, 2023, 7:38 PM EST
By Sahil Kapur, Kate Santaliz and Frank Thorp V

WASHINGTON — The collapse of Senate immigration negotiations is threatening to derail President Joe Biden's national security package, including aid to Israel and Ukraine, even as the White House makes a renewed push on Capitol Hill.

Republicans have vowed to filibuster Biden’s aid package unless Democrats agree to tighten U.S. asylum and parole laws in immigration proceedings. But bipartisan negotiations on a border policy deal, led by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., faltered on Friday amid deep disagreements between the two parties, according to congressional aides with knowledge of the talks.

One Democratic aide said their negotiators have offered proposals to speed up and streamline processing of asylum claims, and even put on the table changes to the "credible fear" standard for having one's claim approved, against the wishes of immigration advocates. But the aide said Republicans are insisting on "extreme policies" that would "end asylum as we know it" and create "expansive powers to shut down the border," which they cannot stomach.

"Democrats realize that Republicans are unwilling or unable to compromise on a reasonable proposal that can pass," the aide said.

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Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/immigration-talks-collapse-threatening-sink-aid-israel-ukraine-rcna127942