In an effort to secure funding for Ukraine and other national security priorities, the Biden administration is reportedly considering compromises on asylum law. According to POLITICO, top Biden officials have engaged in discussions with Democratic lawmakers and immigration policy advocates, exploring potential changes to asylum policy as a means to win over Republicans who are opposed to aid for Ukraine.

The discussions between officials from the White House and the Department of Homeland Security highlight the challenges faced by the administration in passing a $106 billion supplemental aid package. The package includes funding for Ukraine, Israel, the southern border, and Taiwan. Republicans have insisted on including border policy changes in the plan, creating a political struggle for the White House as it attempts to balance competing interests.

Sources familiar with the talks have revealed that the administration's openness to asylum reform has been viewed as both a substantial and political risk. While the administration has begun broaching the contours of a possible immigration policy compromise, there has been little progress on the matter in Congress. Democratic lawmakers are reluctant to engage in talks without a clear understanding of Republicans' specific policy asks.

Despite the cautious approach from Democrats, there have been discussions about potential changes to asylum policy as an area of overlapping legislative interest. Senators Gary Peters and Richard Blumenthal, both members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, have indicated that the asylum process should be examined, particularly the judicial process and timing.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has stressed the importance of Congress moving forward with President Biden's supplemental request to address border security needs effectively. Republicans, however, have often engaged in what she described as political games.

While the specific asylum reform being discussed in private conversations with administration officials revolves around a potential change to the credible fear standard, it is unlikely to satisfy Republicans. They have proposed measures such as reimplementing the Remain in Mexico policy, alongside other changes to asylum law, in an attempt to tackle the soaring number of asylum claims.

Meanwhile, the administration's willingness to consider changes to asylum law has drawn potential backlash from Democrats who accuse the White House of lacking a humane approach to border and migration issues. Critics warn that pushing changes to asylum law without addressing other immigration concerns, such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, could lead to denouncement from immigration advocates.

The inclusion of immigration policy in the debate surrounding the supplemental aid request has already attracted attention from elected officials seeking related reforms. Democratic mayors recently met with White House and DHS officials before heading to the Hill to meet with Democratic senators. These mayors, grappling with managing an influx of migrants in their cities, are hopeful that passing the Ukraine and Israel funding will provide an opportunity to advance their own immigration requests, including funding and policy changes that would allow migrants to work.

As discussions continue, the consensus among various stakeholders appears to be that resources and changes are needed in addressing migration. However, the specifics of those changes and policy adjustments remain the focal point of negotiation and deliberation.