Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has submitted five amendments to the $95 billion foreign aid package, which aims to provide assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. In a statement, Senator Rubio emphasized the need to prioritize the security of American citizens and address the ongoing border issues.

Rubio stated, "Assistance to our allies abroad is important, but America's priority must be protecting our citizens from the invasion occurring along our southern border. President Biden continues to fail at his most basic responsibilities. We cannot continue sending money to protect our allies' borders without first securing our own."

The first amendment, labeled #1545, proposes to prohibit the entry of any alien without a valid visa, including at all points of entry along the northern and southern borders. Rubio urges the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to demonstrate "full operational control" of the borders, request Congress to lift the closure, and obtain congressional approval.

The second amendment, #1455, is based on the House-passed Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act (H.R. 6976). It seeks to enable the deportation of non-citizens convicted of driving while intoxicated or impaired. The bill has previously garnered bipartisan support in the House.

Amendment #1456, inspired by the House-passed No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act (H.R. 6679), proposes the deportation of any non-citizen who participated or assisted in the October 7, 2023 attacks. Furthermore, it aims to establish that these individuals are inadmissible to the United States. Like the previous amendment, this bill has also received bipartisan support in the House.

Rubio's fourth amendment, #1457, is based on his own House-passed bill, the Hamas International Financing Prevention Act (H.R. 340). It seeks to impose targeted sanctions on Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and any affiliated or successor groups. Additionally, it aims to target financial institutions or entities that provide funding to these organizations. The bill has enjoyed bipartisan support in the House.

Lastly, amendment #1546 focuses on reforms to the asylum process. It proposes several changes, including raising the asylum standard from "significant possibility" to "reasonable possibility." The amendment also suggests that would-be asylum seekers should attempt to relocate within their home countries first, if possible. It seeks to reinstate Safe Third Country requirements and prohibits asylum for those who have traveled through a contiguous country, such as Mexico, without applying for asylum there.

Senator Rubio's amendments reflect his concerns about border security and his commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of American citizens. As the debate on the foreign aid package continues, Rubio's proposed changes will certainly spark discussions among lawmakers and stakeholders.