Top U.S. and Mexican officials held a meeting in Mexico City this week to discuss the ongoing migrant crisis and the potential “regularization” of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. The meeting, which included Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, sparked a strong reaction from House Republicans who called it "unconscionable." The meeting took place amidst a historic crisis at the border, with December on track to break records for migrant encounters.

In a joint statement, the U.S. and Mexico affirmed their commitment to "orderly, humane, and regular migration" and highlighted their efforts to address the root causes of migration, combat human smuggling, and promote private investment in the region. However, the statement also acknowledged discussions about the “benefits” of granting some form of legal status to undocumented immigrants already in the U.S., including those protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The Biden administration has previously called for a pathway to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. as part of its immigration reform legislation. However, the package failed to gain Republican support. Despite this, the administration continues to promote it as a solution to the ongoing crisis at the border.

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the talk of legalization in the meeting, stating that it was “unconscionable” to discuss amnesty for illegal immigrants while the country is experiencing the worst border crisis in its history. Johnson called on President Biden to take immediate steps to stop the flow of illegal immigration into the country.

With the escalating crisis at the southern border, attention in Washington has shifted towards increasing restrictions on asylum. The Biden administration has emphasized efforts to address root causes and expand lawful pathways while also increasing consequences for illegal entry. The administration has requested $14 billion for border funding as part of its supplemental funding request to Congress.

Republicans have demanded that the funding package include restrictions on humanitarian parole and stricter asylum standards, which the administration reportedly has been open to but has faced resistance from some Democrats. Some Senate Democrats have indicated that any policy changes at the border would need to be accompanied by a legal pathway for illegal immigrants, a demand that may be a non-starter for many Republicans.

Meanwhile, a migrant caravan consisting of thousands of migrants has been making its way through southern Mexico towards the U.S. Pictures on Christmas Day showed a long line of people, including families with young children, walking from Tapachula towards the U.S. border. This comes as the issue of illegal migration into the U.S. from the south reaches a crisis point, with record numbers of undocumented migrants crossing the border and being held in custody.

Mexico has previously allowed migrants to travel through the country, trusting that they would eventually tire themselves out. However, no migrant caravan has ever walked the entire 1,000-mile journey to the U.S. border. Mexico has reported detecting 680,000 migrants moving through the country in the first 11 months of 2023.

The talks between the U.S. and Mexico are expected to focus on addressing the unprecedented irregular migration in the Western Hemisphere and finding ways to address border security challenges. House Speaker Mike Johnson has sent a letter to President Biden, blaming him for the border crisis and urging him to take action to stem the record tide of illegal immigration. Former President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the issue, stating that migrants are "poisoning the blood of America" during a recent rally.