Biden administration to extend US border wall, begin Venezuela deportations

With the new influx of migrants heading to the United States southern border every day, Washington is going back to an old strategy, planning to build a new section of border wall, although it's only 32 kilometers long in one part of southern Texas. President Biden tried to distance himself from the measure, telling reporters that Congress wouldn't let him spend the money any other way. The border wall, the money was appropriated for the border wall. I tried to get them to reappropriate it, to redirect that money. They didn't. And in the meantime, there's nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what was appropriate. I can't stop that. Do you believe the border wall hurts? No. But the news broke just as high level talks between the two governments began, leaving the Mexican president visibly unimpressed. This authorization for the construction of the wall is a step backwards because it doesn't solve the problem. Doesn't solve the problem. The causes must be addressed. Those causes are many economic meltdown in Venezuela, hunger and gang violence in Haiti, authoritarian governments in Cuba and Nicaragua, to name just a few. Not just the U.S. secretary of state, but the attorney general and secretary of homeland security were in Mexico for the talks. It wasn't just migration on the agenda. They took place in Mexico's National Palace just behind us. The United States wanted to talk about fentanyl, the synthetic drug that's now one of the leading causes of death in Americans from 18 to 49 years old. They want Mexican authorities to do more to stop criminals bringing it in here, cooking it up and then smuggling it stateside. The Mexican government, on the other hand, wants the United States to do more to prevent weapons coming from the United States into Mexico and contributing to this country's sky high homicide rate. It was the border that dominated the news conference that wrapped up the visit. Strict consequences for those who do not use those lawful means to enter our country. Those consequences include swift repatriation, the swift return of migrants and a ban on their reentry. Just today, the United States announced its agreement with the country of Venezuela to repatriate Venezuelan nationals who do not take advantage of the lawful pathways and instead arrive irregularly at our southern border and do not qualify for relief. By Thursday night, the visit had ended, but the long running issues between the two countries remain. John Holman, Al Jazeera, Mexico City. Make sure to subscribe to our channel to get the latest news from Al Jazeera.