Discussions on US-Mexico migration included the advantages of legalizing undocumented residents in the US.

Officials announced that a meeting between top U.S. and Mexican officials to discuss the ongoing migrant crisis included talks about "regularizing" illegal immigrants living in the U.S., which prompted a furious reaction from House Republicans, who labeled it "unconscionable."

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, along with other U.S. officials, met with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in Mexico City. The meeting took place amid a historic crisis at the border, with December projected to surpass previous records for migrant encounters.

The countries reaffirmed their dedication to "orderly, compassionate, and systematic migration" and emphasized their efforts to address the "root causes" of migration, disrupt human trafficking, and encourage private investment while also investing in "bold development initiatives" in the region.

Officials discussed the advantages of granting legal status to illegal immigrants currently residing in the U.S., including those safeguarded by the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) - an executive order signed by President Barack Obama, which safeguarded some illegal immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as minors.

The joint statement stated that the delegations discussed the advantages of regularizing the status of undocumented Hispanic migrants who have been living in the US for several years and DACA beneficiaries, who contribute significantly to the US economy and society. The delegations agreed to meet again in January.

The Biden administration has continued to promote citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants living in the U.S., despite the failure of its immigration reform legislation in 2021 to gain Republican support due to the inclusion of amnesty.

In a statement on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the discussion of legalization during the meeting.

"As America faces its worst border crisis, it is unjustifiable to hear the Biden Administration's announcement that Mayorkas and Blinken discussed amnesty for illegal immigrants with the Mexican president. Instead of focusing on policies that attract people to come here illegally, the United States must prioritize deterrence policies and put an end to the smugglers who profit from the crisis at our border."

The president's policies have resulted in a humanitarian disaster and national security crisis, and the administration's lack of action to address the issue is further evidence of their lack of intention to solve it. President Biden must stop vacationing and take immediate steps to stop the flow of illegal immigration into our country. Our nation's security and sovereignty depend on it, and the American people demand it.

The Biden administration is increasing restrictions on asylum and imposing consequences for illegal entry at the southern border, while also focusing on addressing the root causes of the crisis.

The administration has requested $14 billion for border funding, but Republicans are demanding restrictions on humanitarian parole and stricter asylum standards, which the administration has reportedly been open to but has met with resistance from some Democrats.

Many Republicans are unlikely to accept any policy changes at the border that come with a demand for a legal pathway for illegal immigrants, as some Senate Democrats have previously stated.

Over 250,000 migrant encounters have occurred at the southern border since December 1, and during the four-day Christmas weekend, there were more than 35,000 such encounters. This could mean that December will break the monthly record for encounters set in September (269,735).

In 2023, daily and monthly migrant encounters have been broken multiple times, and another migrant caravan with thousands of migrants is currently traveling through southern Mexico.

Planet Chronicle' Griff Jenkins contributed to this report.