In a highly anticipated move to address the surge at the southern border, a crackdown that has garnered support from both Republicans and President Joe Biden might face failure due to Donald Trump's opposition and influence over his supporters. This comes as Senate backers aim to vote on the issue this week, highlighting the deep divisions within the GOP.

Trump's efforts to undermine the Biden administration's approach to immigration have drawn criticism from Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who labeled his actions as "appalling." Romney expressed concern that Trump's motives are not centered on solving the border problem but rather on blaming Biden for it. The senator viewed Trump's stance as a shocking political move that prioritizes personal gain over the welfare of the country.

During his Las Vegas rally on Saturday, Trump openly acknowledged the blame placed on him, stating, "that's okay, please blame it on me, please." His willingness to take responsibility illustrates his focus on leveraging the border issue for political advantage.

Republicans on the House Committee on Homeland Security have disclosed that Customs and Border Patrol recorded a total of 2.4 million migrant encounters at the southern border in 2023. Trump, however, claimed at his rally that "two million illegals crossed the border every single year in the past, and now that number's changing to maybe eight times that amount." The committee's data contradicts Trump's assertions, indicating that approximately 3.2 million migrants were encountered by agents nationwide last year.

Amidst these ongoing tensions, House Republicans have unveiled the text of two new articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The articles accuse Mayorkas of willfully refusing to comply with detention requirements set forth by the Immigration and Nationality Act, leading Republicans to question his adherence to his oath of office. The White House, however, regards the move as baseless and maintains that there is no compelling case against Mayorkas. The articles are set to be voted on along party lines and will advance to a full House vote on Tuesday.

Moreover, President Biden has made a surprising move by voicing his support for a bipartisan deal to pass comprehensive immigration reform measures. The bill empowers the Department of Homeland Security to close the southern border after encountering a daily average of over 4,000 migrants within a week. It also provides funding for additional border patrol agents, asylum officers, and immigration judges to handle the ongoing surge. Additionally, the bill allocates resources towards the acquisition of cutting-edge inspection machines to detect and halt the influx of fentanyl.

Notably, several details of the bill, including the promised aid for Ukraine, remain undisclosed. Despite this, Biden has touted the legislation as a "win for America."

As border-related discussions intensify and party lines become more pronounced, the fate of the border crackdown and the future of immigration policy hang in the balance. The involvement of Trump, ongoing impeachment efforts, and Biden's push for reform reflect the complex and divisive nature of the issue at hand.