"Kind of compromise": US explains why aid to Ukraine is linked to migrant issue

Some US congressmen believe that bills on military aid to Ukraine and strengthening the border of the United States are equally important for the country, and therefore propose to consider them together, the Voice of America.

"This is one of the ways political parties influence each other to achieve their goals. And frankly, I think we need to improve our border security. We have over 200,000 illegal immigrants in the last year alone," he explained.

Democratic Congressman from Illinois Brad Schneider argues that the purpose of both bills is to protect the sovereignty and borders of both states. He noted that "just as Ukraine is fighting to protect its independence and sovereignty, it is in the interest of the United States to make sure that Ukraine's border is secure."

"Similarly, the United States must make sure that we protect our own borders and our own democracy," Schneider said.

According to Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, helping Ukraine in tandem with strengthening the U.S. border will explain to ordinary Americans that supporting partners does not prevent them from solving their own problems.

"In the same way, the United States must make sure that we protect our own borders and our own democracy," Schneider said.

According to Michael McCall, a Republican congressman from the state of Texas and the chairman of the foreign affairs committee, helping Ukraine in tandem with strengthening the US border will explain to ordinary Americans that supporting partners does not prevent them from solving their own problems at the same time.

"It's a kind of compromise. If we can get a strong package to secure our border, it will help send a message to our people here that we can do both. It's not an either/or choice, we can not only secure our border, but we can also secure Ukraine," McCaul said.

Representatives of both parties emphasize that the illegal crossing of the US border with Mexico has turned into a real crisis and requires an urgent solution, the publication added.

At the same time, according to a Democratic senator from Connecticut, linking Ukraine to the migration crisis in the United States is the same as "holding Ukrainian aid hostage" to a complex domestic American issue.

He emphasized that Washington has been unable to pass bipartisan immigration reform for the past 40 years and noted that he was "very sorry that Ukraine and its sovereignty are being held hostage to a major domestic US issue."

"A problem that can be solved, but it will be difficult to do so in the next two weeks," the senator added.

On October 20, 2023, US President Biden called on Congress not to stop the supply of weapons to Ukraine. The White House has sent a request to Congress to allocate $106 billion in emergency funding to help Ukraine, Israel and strengthen US border security.

On December 4, White House budget director Shalanda Young said the money was for relief.

On December 5, the leader of the majority of the Democratic Party in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, announced the first procedural vote on the new aid package for Ukraine.