WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s proposed aid package to help Ukraine and Israel includes $13.6 billion to address security at the U.S.-Mexico border. The security money was added with the hope that it will persuade more Republicans in Congress to back the proposal.

But will it be enough for Texas Republicans who have long criticized Biden’s handling of the border? 

What You Need To Know

  • The $105 billion security request sought by President Joe Biden includes about $14 billion for the southern border

  • The border funding was added hoping to encourage more congressional Republicans to support aid to Isael and Ukraine

  • The proposed border money would increase the number of border agents, the number of immigration judges and asylum officers, and install new technology to detect fentanyl

  • Some Republicans, though, want to see stronger commitments to change policy 

In their latest trip leading colleagues to the Texas-Mexico border, Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, accompanied law enforcement on tours by land and ground. They met with community meetings and border patrol officers in the Rio Grande Valley.

“We need to try to help people where we can but we need to send an unequivocal message by not only our words, but by our actions that people should not circumvent the legal pathways into the country,” Cornyn said. 

Back on Capitol Hill this week, the Republican senators made clear where they stand on Biden’s efforts to win passage of new aid for Ukraine and Israel by attaching money for border security to the legislation. 

“Understand the White House’s strategy here because it’s an utter joke,” Cruz said. “The funding that they call, quote, border security, is not designed to reduce even one illegal immigrant.”

Some House Republicans from Texas agree. 

“The crisis at our southern border is not one that can be resolved with more money, policy must change,” said Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston. “The funding requests might be needed, but they would only serve to facilitate the current crisis as oppose to stop it.” 

The $105 billion package sought by Biden includes about $14 billion for the southern U.S. border. The money would boost the number of border agents, increase the number of immigration judges and asylum officers to process claims, and install new technology to detect fentanyl at ports of entry.

Homeland Security officials say more than 336,000 people have been deported since May. 

“The Biden-Harris Administration has led the largest expansion of lawful pathways in decades, and continues to enforce consequences, including removal to their home country, for those who do not use these pathways to come to the United States,” said Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie Canegallo. “Do not listen to the lies of smugglers. Individuals who cross unlawfully won’t be eligible for these lawful pathways and will be removed if they have no legal basis to remain.”

Despite the large number of deportations and deterrence measures enacted by the federal government and the state of Texas, migrants are still taking the risk and crossing the border. 

The influx is creating political problems for Biden, potentially giving Republicans leverage to wrest some concessions they are seeking on border policies in return for approving additional money for Ukraine and Israel.

Brian Smith, professor of political science at St. Edward’s University, said Republicans see the border as a winning political issue. 

“If the Republicans say that the funding is adequate, then they actually give the president a political win, and they lose their advantage on this issue. If you keep hammering the president on the border, then you keep winning on the issue,” Smith said. 

It is unclear what kind of policy changes the White House would agree to. Democrats in Texas and around the country have opposed expanding the border wall and have rejected adopting hardline restrictions to asylum sought by many Republicans.