GOP Senator Backs Biden Immigration Plan as Trump Expands Deportation Agenda

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) surprised many by voicing support for President Joe Biden’s failed 2024 immigration reform bill, saying it “should have passed” and would have closed key asylum loopholes exploited by cartels. Speaking at the McCain Institute, Lankford noted the bill would’ve allowed the president to shut the border if daily crossings exceeded 5,000 and would’ve restricted the controversial humanitarian parole system.

The bipartisan bill was blocked in the Senate after Donald Trump urged Republicans to oppose it. Lankford mocked critics who now call for similar reforms, suggesting they missed the chance to support the bill earlier.

Meanwhile, Trump has implemented sweeping immigration changes through executive authority, effectively sealing U.S. borders. His newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill” allocates $170 billion to ICE for mass deportations, authorizes 10,000 new agents, and includes $350 billion for border security.

The law also cuts $4.5 trillion in taxes while slashing Medicaid and food stamp funding. Trump warned Republicans that failing to pass the bill would trigger a historic tax hike.