Sen. Mark Kelly says Biden border approach “created a crisis” and criticizes allowing legal entry for undocumented immigrants

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said Sunday that the Biden administration “did a bad job” at the southern border, echoing his broader criticism of the federal government’s approach to immigration enforcement and asylum-related pathways.

Speaking to reporters, Kelly said the Biden administration created what he called a “crisis at the southern border” through what he characterized as welcoming policies that permitted undocumented immigrants to enter the country legally. Kelly tied his remarks to the practical impact of border management decisions, including the way legal processes are used in the context of migration flows.

Kelly’s comments came as he discussed his ability to differ from President Donald Trump and the political environment around criticism of past administrations. He said he appreciated the ability to break with the former president without fear of reprisal, describing a contrast between how political disagreements are handled across administrations.

The Arizona senator has previously criticized aspects of the federal government’s immigration strategy, according to the report. On Sunday, he again framed his argument around border conditions and the consequences of policy choices, while maintaining his Democratic affiliation.

Kelly’s remarks also reflected a theme that has appeared in other prominent debates over border policy: whether changes in enforcement posture, prosecutorial discretion, and access to legal entry routes contribute to increased migration pressure at the border. In Kelly’s account, the Biden administration’s policies created conditions that escalated into an enduring border crisis.

The report did not cite a specific new action by the Senate or the White House in connection with Kelly’s remarks. Instead, it focused on Kelly’s characterization of the Biden administration’s performance and his emphasis that he has been able to publicly critique border policy.

Kelly’s comments are likely to remain part of ongoing national debate over how federal authorities should manage the southern border, including the balance between legal immigration pathways and operational enforcement measures. His statements may also factor into how senators and members of Congress assess immigration policy outcomes after changes across presidential administrations.

A spokesman for Kelly and administration officials were not quoted in the report. The next step for confirmation and additional context would be follow-up reporting on Kelly’s specific references and any administration responses to his claims.