Cornyn Claims Biden Immigration Policies Allowed Criminal Aliens to Enter U.S., Risking Government Shutdown

By Jim Thomas | Thursday, 29 January 2026 04:57 PM EST

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Thursday he sees electoral intent behind the Biden administration’s immigration approach. At the same time, he praised Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s border czar, for seeking to reduce tensions over enforcement operations in Minnesota.

Appearing on a recent platform, Cornyn framed the debate over immigration enforcement as a question of why the Biden administration pursued what he called “open border policies.” Asked broadly about Democrats and immigration enforcement, Cornyn stated, “I’ve searched my mind for a possible explanation for the open border policies of the Biden administration,” adding that he believes it was “to allow as many people in the country as they could.”

Cornyn further asserted that his goal was “hoping that then they would be put on a path to citizenship, and then they’d be registered to vote.” He added, “I can’t think of any other plausible explanation for [letting loose] unvetted immigrants on the American people.”

He cited specific cases, stating, “And let’s remember people like Jocelyn Nungaray, Laken Riley, and other victims of criminal aliens who came in during the four years of the Biden administration.” Cornyn tied his comments to the Trump administration’s enforcement posture, saying, “Now we’re having to do what President [Donald] Trump pledged to do,” adding that Trump “got a mandate … on Nov. 5, which is to enforce our immigration laws.”

Cornyn declared, “And that’s not negotiable.” He also noted he was “glad Tom Homan placed the responsibility where it was,” stating the duty belonged “with the open border policies of the Biden administration.” Cornyn added he was “glad Tom Homan is there trying to figure out how can we de-escalate this,” asking, “How can we prevent the dangerous circumstances where these organized and paid instigators are actively interfering with law enforcement activities, which obviously produces tragic circumstances?”

Homan told reporters in Minneapolis Thursday that operations in Minnesota could be scaled back if state and local officials actually cooperate with federal officials. He acknowledged that enforcement operations could be improved.

The enforcement debate has overlapped with a funding fight on Capitol Hill. The House voted 220-207 on January 22 to approve a $64.4 billion funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. Senate Democrats blocked a procedural vote Thursday on a government funding package that included Homeland Security funding, as they pushed for changes to how Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates. The vote was 45-55, short of the 60 votes needed to advance the measure, with Democrats joined by several Republicans in opposition.

Democrats have tied their support to enforcement reforms such as limits on ICE officers wearing masks and requirements for body cameras and warrants, elevating ICE policy into the center of the funding fight. Without an agreement before the funding deadline, parts of the government could face a shutdown. The next funding deadline for affected agencies is Friday.