In a significant development, President Joe Biden acknowledged on Friday that the US-Mexico border is not secure, contrary to statements made by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The admission occurred during Biden’s address to a bipartisan group of mayors at the White House East Room, where he expressed support for “massive changes” in immigration policy. When asked about the security of the border, Biden bluntly responded, “No, it’s not.”

During his speech, the 81-year-old president revealed his anticipation of a potential compromise on border policy from Senate negotiators in the coming week. This compromise is expected to be part of a broader $106 billion supplemental spending request, covering military aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Biden stressed the urgent need for significant policy changes at the border, emphasizing a desire to reform the asylum system and enhance authorities to control immigration. He declared, “I’m ready to act.”

Biden directed a challenge to House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans, urging them to decide whether they are prepared to address the issue or persist in using it for political gains against the president. Emphasizing his commitment to finding a solution, Biden reiterated, “Massive changes, and I mean it sincerely.”

The specific alterations to asylum policy remain unclear, as achieving consensus among the White House, Senate Democrats, and House Republicans proves challenging. The existing administration policy permits nearly all undocumented migrants to enter the US and await asylum proceedings, receiving work permits after a brief waiting period.

Notably, Biden reversed former President Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, which compelled asylum seekers to stay south of the border until their cases were decided.

Despite disavowing Mayorkas’ assertions that the border is secure, Biden defended his Homeland Security chief when confronted with House Republican attempts to impeach and remove him. Biden expressed a willingness to take a tougher stance on illegal immigration, a response to plummeting approval ratings for his handling of the migrant crisis, particularly in the wake of a record-breaking number of illegal crossings in December. The president’s call for substantial changes underscores a pivotal moment in ongoing negotiations addressing the pressing issues surrounding the US-Mexico border.