Lindsey Graham Says Biden Has 'Lost Control' of the U.S.-Mexico Border

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said he is introducing legislation aimed at curbing the surge of undocumented migrants at the U.S. southern border.

At a news conference Wednesday morning, Graham placed the blame for the migrant surge at the feet of President Joe Biden and rejected any claims by the White House that the situation was a result of failed Trump administration policies.

"The Biden Administration has lost control of the southern border," he said. "It's time to regain control and you have to deal with the dynamic that led to the border being overrun."

"Trump's got nothing to do with this. This is not Trump's fault, that's a bunch of B.S. This is policy choices that were ill conceived, that have blown up in Biden administration's face," Graham added.

The South Carolina Senator said he was introducing the Secure and Protect Act of 2021 which he claimed will stop the gaming of the asylum process in the United States.

"The asylum standard has been completely abused, it is being used by cartels and human traffickers, and they're telling these poor folks all over Central America, once you get to America, claim asylum, you're entitled to a hearing," Graham said. "The Secure and Protect Act will stop this."

Graham said his legislation will halt applications for asylum inside the United States. Those who want to apply would have to do so in their own countries and wait for a hearing.

Graham said he is convinced the move would end the flow of migrants to the border "literally overnight. If we don't do that, the worst is yet to come."

He also called on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to visit the U.S. Mexico border, saying, they "owe it to the country to go to the border and see for themselves what's going on."

On a separate issue, Graham was asked if he believe the rhetoric of former President Donald Trump and other Republicans, who referred to COVID-19 as the "Kung Flu" or "China Virus" contributed to the rise of anti Asian American sentiment in the U.S.

Graham brushed off the suggestion, insisting the virus did come from China, calling that a "fact."

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