WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amid reports that the Biden administration will announce action tomorrow on the border and immigration, the following is a quote from Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum:

"It’s unfortunate that politics are driving the immigration conversation in an increasingly restrictive direction. While there’s no question the U.S. needs to better address challenges at the border, the use of 212(f) authority is concerning.

"Because border security is paramount, we need to get a better handle on managing the border, and that will require significant resources from Congress. Long-term solutions require legislation, including funding the personnel and other resources a secure, compassionate border response requires. There’s a blueprint for such solutions, and new polling underscores huge support across the political and ideological spectrum for them. Ultimately, even if this proposed executive action succeeds in reducing border encounters in the short term, it’s only a Band-Aid without action from Congress.

"Displacement worldwide is at record highs. People are fleeing dangerous and sometimes life-threatening situations. If we want to reduce numbers at the border, we need a reasonable conversation about alternative ways for people to make their cases for asylum and other humanitarian protections — and about other potential legal-migration pathways that help promote order and fairness."

The Forum and six partners released a Border Security & Management Framework in late April that addresses asylum; border personnel, technology, and operations; fentanyl and illicit substance interdiction; and stopping human smuggling and trafficking.

Previously unreleased May survey results indicate that by a 79%-10% margin, registered voters support "Democrats and Republicans working together to create a more secure, efficient, and humane border process" that could include these elements. That includes 75%-16% support vs. opposition among self-identified conservatives and a 72%-13% margin among self-identified Republicans. Percentages were similar among all adults.

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 The National Immigration Forum, in conjunction with The Bullfinch Group, conducted a nationwide online survey fielded May 16-21, 2024, among 1,200 adults, of whom 1,000 respondents were registered voters. Sampling controls were used to ensure that a proportional and representative number of respondents were interviewed from demographic groups such as age, gender, political affiliation, race, and geographic region. The margin of error for registered voters is ±3.1% at the 95% confidence interval. The margin of error for adults is ± 2.83% at the 95% confidence interval.