House Freedom Caucus Slams Senate Border Deal: A ‘Dumpster Fire’ and a ‘Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’

The recent border security compromise proposed by the Senate has sparked intense criticism from the House Freedom Caucus, with members urging their colleagues to reject the deal. The bill, which aims to tighten current immigration and asylum laws while also fast-tracking eligible asylum claims, has been met with skepticism and outright opposition from a majority of House Republicans.

Former Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., was one of the first to speak out against the bill, labeling it a ‘dumpster fire’ and an ‘American sellout.’ He argued that the proposal does not go far enough to address the migrant crisis and that Senate Republicans had been rolled by Democrats, allowing their obsession with Ukraine to get in the way of their duty to America.

Another Freedom Caucus member, Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., was equally critical, stating that the deal gives Ukraine three times as much funding as it allocates to the U.S. border. He described the bill as a ‘pathetic excuse for border security’ and a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing.’

The sticking point for many critics was the rumored authority to allow 5,000 migrants into the country per day before enforcing a Title 42-like expulsion authority. However, the bill text creates a new ‘border emergency authority’ to turn people away, which may be used if the average number of migrants encountered reaches an average 4,000 per day across a seven-day period. The authority would be mandatory if that number hits 5,000.

Despite these measures, critics argue that the powers can be used for up to 270 days in the first year of implementation, a number that gradually decreases before the authority sunsets altogether in three years. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., stated that the acceptable number of illegal aliens allowed into the U.S. should be zero and that the proposal is an ‘absolute slap in the face to Americans.’

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., the lead negotiator of the deal, called the notion that 5,000 people were ‘coming into the country’ each day ‘absurd and untrue.’ He clarified that the emergency authority is not designed to let 5,000 people in but rather to close the border and turn 5,000 people around.

However, the opposition to the bill was not limited to GOP hardliners. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called it a ‘nonstarter,’ and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., vowed it would not get a House vote. GOP Conference Policy Chair Gary Palmer, R-Ala., also expressed his disapproval, stating that he could not believe the Senate actually thought the bill would secure the border.

The criticism of the Senate border deal comes as the House Freedom Caucus continues to push for border reform that goes further than the current proposal. Last year, the House passed H.R.2, a border security bill that has not been taken up by the Senate. The ongoing debate highlights the political divide over immigration policy and the challenges of finding a bipartisan solution to the migrant crisis.

Elizabeth Elkind is a reporter for Fox News Digital focused on Congress as well as the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.