Axios Sneak Peek: Distant migrants now targeting border ... Schumer's litmus test

Plus: White House tells Trump complainers: get over it | Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Facebook   Axios Sneak Peek By Alayna Treene and Hans Nichols ·May 26, 2021 Welcome back to Sneak. There was a fresh face at the White House podium today. ⚡ Situational awareness: Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, who is Jewish, opened this evening's meeting between administration officials and Jewish advocates to convey the determination of the POTUS, VP and entire Biden administration to fight rising antisemitism, a participant tells Axios' Margaret Talev. Today's newsletter — edited by Glen Johnson — is 1,299 words, a 5-minute read.     1 big thing: Distant migrants now targeting U.S.-Mexico border Data: U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios The number of people attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border from countries beyond Mexico and Central America's Northern Triangle — including residents of Haiti, Cuba, Romania and India — has spiked during recent months, Axios' Stef Kight reports. Why it matters: On top of natural disaster and economic crises in home countries, the growing backlog of asylum cases in the U.S. — which often allows migrants to live and work in the country as their case plays out in court — is being conveyed to friends and relatives. It can prompt them to catch flights to Central America. When border enforcement resources are overwhelmed, some smugglers and migrants also see it as an opportune time to cross — regardless of their clients' origin, Jessica Bolter of the Migration Policy Institute told Axios. Experts say it could be a sign of a more permanent shift in U.S. border migration. "The Biden administration has made it clear that our borders are not open and individuals and families are subject to border restrictions, including expulsion," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said. By the numbers: Last month, the Border Patrol encountered more than 33,000 people crossing into the U.S. from nations other than Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, according to Department of Homeland Security data. That's up from about 9,000 in January. It's also an increase of 35% from March — even as numbers from the Northern Triangle fell slightly during that time period. It's also 2.5 times the number who crossed in June 2019, which was the highest month of the previous three fiscal years. 30% of all family members who crossed the border in April came from these less-typical countries of origin. Between the lines: Most are adults or families, rather than unaccompanied minors. They often fly into Central American countries before traveling through Mexico to the border, multiple experts said. Border agents have encountered migrants from more than 160 countries in recent months, the New York Times reported, with notable spikes in Ecuadorians, Brazilians and Venezuelans. Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) told Axios that when he visited the border with other Republican colleagues this month, they witnessed a family of five Romanians surrendering to Border Patrol officers in Yuma, Arizona. A Reuters photographer has reportedly witnessed nearly 200 Romanians crossing the border into Texas. Border Patrol officers have encountered an unaccompanied 1-year-old from Ecuador, two teenagers from Bangladesh, a 14-year-old from India and a 17-year-old from Armenia during recent days, according to government data provided to Axios. Keep reading.     2. Schumer's litmus test Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios   Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is forcing Republicans into a corner as he tries to pass his China-focused global competition bill, Axios' Alayna Treene writes. Why it matters: It's important by itself but also seen by the left as a test for whether Democrats can work with the GOP on anything. If it fails to gain support, it would likely endanger future bipartisan efforts — including infrastructure talks — for the remainder of the 117th Congress. Details: Schumer strategically mapped out a plan for the bill that would box in the rival party. The foundation of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act is a bipartisan proposal from Schumer and Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana. The legislation is expected to focus on manufacturing, technology, 5G, supply chains and semiconductors — all concerns for both parties. In February, Schumer asked both Democratic committee chairs and their ranking Republicans to work on measures that could be included in a larger package. Now, Republicans are saying they need to see a rigorous amendment process in order to support the measure. So far Schumer has obliged, though it's still unclear whether he'll give all of their amendments a vote. On Tuesday, he introduced six Republican amendments and scheduled votes on three others on Wednesday. In his messaging, Schumer has consistently emphasized he's put up more Republican amendments than Democratic ones. Yes, but: Many Republicans still argue Schumer isn't working in good faith, and that the process hasn't been totally bipartisan. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) is going so far as to try to convince Republicans to reject the bill outright, complaining his negotiated bipartisan provision was blocked by Schumer. The bottom line: Some Democratic lawmakers and their aides say that if this bill doesn't pass, the entire mood in the Senate will shift away from any semblance of accommodation. Alternatively, if it succeeds, it could provide momentum for future negotiations. Keep reading.     3. White House tells Trump complainers: get over it Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images   The White House has a simple message for Trump appointees venting to the media about losing their jobs since President Biden took office: get over it, Axios' Sarah Mucha reports. Why it matters: The White House has been methodically clearing house, a practice former President Trump followed when he was elected — most prominently at the State Department. The aim is to install staff more in sync with an administration starkly different than its predecessor. What they're saying: "Elections have consequences," said White House spokesperson Mike Gwin. "President Biden won with a commanding victory in November, and now he has the right and obligation to make sure the positions he fills reflect the priorities he campaigned on." Between the lines: Trump appointees have not been going quietly. "I got completely screwed," one appointee, Vanessa Ambrosini, told Politico in February. Ambrosini lost her parental leave, along with other benefits, after Biden was sworn in on Jan. 20. Most recently, the White House axed members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which oversees the architecture of federal buildings in D.C. "I was shocked and dismayed to learn that three of my fellow commissioners, along with myself, have been asked to resign or be terminated by the president," commission chair Justin Shubow said in a statement. "Any such removal would set a terrible precedent." National Security Agency general counsel Michael Ellis, who Trump installed immediately after the presidential race was called for Biden, also vented in his resignation letter. Ellis complained he had been put "on administrative leave for nearly three months without any explanation or updates." Such turnover is par for the course; when Trump took office, he axed a number of Obama appointees. The Environmental Protection Agency dismissed half of its board of scientific advisers, for example. And Mick Mulvaney fired the entire Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's advisory board after its 25 members criticized his leadership. He installed employees loyal to him. 🎧 Worthy of your time: Former Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin talked about the PPP program — as well as his controversies and accomplishments — when Dan Primack interviewed him for his Axios: ReCap podcast.     A message from Facebook The internet has changed a lot since 1996 - internet regulations should too     It's been 25 years since comprehensive internet regulations passed. See why we support updated regulations on key issues, including: Protecting people's privacy. Enabling safe and easy data portability between platforms. Preventing election interference. Reforming Section 230.     4. Gaza conflict brings Sisi in from the cold Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Photo: Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty   The conflict in Gaza gave Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi a leading regional role and made him a key partner for the Biden administration in the region, Axios from Tel Aviv author Barak Ravid wrote in today's newsletter. Why it matters: While Sisi was Donald Trump's "favorite dictator," Biden signaled during the campaign he would push strongmen like Sisi on human rights, and the new administration hardly engaged with Egypt after taking office. Behind the scenes: The first call between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry was tough, and the State Department's terse readout focused on human rights. So cold were the initial interactions that Israeli defense officials lobbied their U.S. counterparts not to put too much pressure on Egypt due to its importance in regional security. But early into the Gaza conflict, the White House realized Egypt — the most populous Arab nation in the world — was the only player that could mediate a ceasefire, U.S. officials told Barak. That conclusion led to calls between national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, as well as Blinken and Shoukry. Eventually, it led Biden to place his first call as president to Sisi, who assured the U.S. president that Egypt could ensure Hamas stopped firing if Israel adopted the ceasefire. Keep reading.     5. Pic du jour Photo: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images   Deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made her debut appearance at the White House podium, the first time a Black woman had done so in 30 years.     A message from Facebook Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations     2021 is the 25th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the last major update to internet regulation. It's time for an update to set clear rules for addressing today's toughest challenges. See how we're taking action on key issues and why we support updated internet regulations.   🛫 Axios Local is growing and expanding to eight more cities: Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Philadelphia; Nashville, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C. Learn more here! 👏 Thanks for reading! A reminder that your family, friends and colleagues can sign up for email delivery of this free newsletter through this link.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: