In 2023, illegal southern border crossings surpass populations of 15 states
Republicans Continue to Decry Biden’s “Open Border” Policies as Illegal Immigration Surges
Throughout the last three years, Republicans have consistently criticized the Biden administration’s “open border” policies. In 2023, the influx of illegal immigrants remained strong, with Border Patrol encountering more people at the southern border than the entire population of New Mexico.
According to official statistics from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Border Patrol had 2,240,056 encounters with foreign nationals at the southern border in 2023. This includes recorded encounters from January to November, with reported numbers for December.
Below is a breakdown of southern border encounters in 2023, according to CBP statistics:
Month Total Encounters January 157,358 February 156,630 March 193,249 April 211,992 May 206,690 June 144,556 July 183,479 August 232,963 September 269,735 October 240,986 November 242,418 December* 276,000 Total 2,516,056 *December numbers based on a report from Fox News.
The total number of reported encounters is greater than the populations (on an individual level) of 15 states, including Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Delaware, Rhode Island, Montana, Maine, New Hampshire, Hawaii, West Virginia, Idaho, Nebraska, and New Mexico.
In 2023, videos of massive caravans heading toward the U.S. continued to circulate, highlighting the perception that the border remains open despite the Biden administration’s efforts to block state initiatives to protect their own sovereignty. The year saw the expiration of Title 42 and the release of hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals into the U.S.
Here are the biggest trendlines in the continuing border crisis from the last year:
Crossings Surge to Record Highs
The Biden administration set numerous records at the southern border in 2023, with monthly crossings reaching unprecedented levels. In December, crossings reportedly hit an all-time high of 276,000, surpassing the previous monthly record set in November.
Other records included the fastest pace of Chinese nationals crossing the border and a record number of Venezuelans illegally entering the U.S. in September.
States Send National Guard to Border
To address the crisis, states like Tennessee and Arizona continued to deploy National Guard troops to the border. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, criticized Biden’s handling of the border and sent National Guard troops to assist.
Illegal Immigrants Sent to Blue Cities
Red states, such as Texas, transported tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to blue cities like Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles, which have more lenient immigration policies. This prompted these cities to grapple with the consequences of Biden’s border policies.
Colony Ridge Comes Under Scrutiny
Colony Ridge, a massive development north of Houston, faced scrutiny after reports revealed its marketing practices targeted illegal immigrants. The Biden administration’s Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the development for alleged predatory financing practices.
Americans Continue to Suffer Because of Illegal Immigration
Illegal immigration has had a significant impact on Americans across the country. A report from House Republicans estimated that illegal immigration costs American taxpayers up to $451 billion, with each taxpayer responsible for an average of $956. Additionally, incidents such as the eviction of seniors from a New York senior center to accommodate migrants and the involvement of foreign nationals in heinous crimes have further highlighted the consequences of illegal immigration.
Title 42 Expires
The expiration of Title 42 in May contributed to the surge of illegal immigrants. This Trump-era rule allowed for the turning away of illegal immigrants at the border due to COVID concerns. In the week leading up to its expiration, Border Patrol apprehended over 11,000 individuals crossing the border illegally, double the typical daily amount.
Biden Administration Tries to Block States from Protecting Borders
The Biden administration has attempted to impede Texas’ efforts to deter illegal immigration and secure the border. This includes cutting razor wire placed by Texas along the Rio Grande and suing Texas Governor Greg Abbott over the construction of a water barrier. The Department of Justice is also threatening to sue Texas over a new state law that criminalizes illegal entry.
What’s Next for the Border Crisis?
Efforts to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have gained traction, with House Republicans planning to bring articles of impeachment in 2024. This could have significant implications for the House control in the upcoming elections. Additionally, the outcome of the presidential race and continued clashes between Texas and the Biden administration will shape the future of the border crisis.
What are the main arguments put forth by Republicans against the Biden administration’s approach to immigration and its perceived open border policies?
Eloper, claiming that they were discriminating against U.S. citizens in favor of undocumented immigrants.
Republicans Speak Out Against Open Border Policies
Republicans have continuously voiced their opposition to the Biden administration’s approach to immigration and its perceived open border policies. They argue that these policies are not only ineffective in curbing illegal immigration but also pose risks to national security and public safety.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has been one of the most vocal critics, often visiting the border and sharing his experiences and observations. He has called for increased border security and the reinstatement of policies implemented under the Trump administration, such as the Remain in Mexico policy and the construction of a border wall.
Other Republican lawmakers, like Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Jim Jordan, have also expressed their concerns and called for stronger immigration enforcement measures.
Republicans and some conservative media outlets have framed the situation at the southern border as a crisis, accusing the Biden administration of failing to effectively address the issue. They argue that the high number of illegal border crossings, the release of thousands of migrants into the U.S., and the practice of transporting them to blue cities only exacerbate the problem.
Critics argue that by not adequately securing the border and enforcing immigration laws, the Biden administration encourages and rewards illegal immigration. They assert that this not only undermines the rule of law but also has negative consequences for American workers, public resources, and national security.
However, proponents of the Biden administration’s approach argue that the previous administration’s hardline policies were inhumane and violated human rights. They assert that the current administration is working towards a more compassionate and fair immigration system by focusing on addressing the root causes of migration, such as poverty, violence, and political instability in Central American countries.
They also argue that the surge in illegal immigration is not solely due to the Biden administration’s border policies but is influenced by other factors, such as economic conditions, natural disasters, and organized crime in the migrants’ home countries.
As the debate on immigration and border security continues, the Biden administration faces the challenge of finding a balance between ensuring national security and protecting the dignity and human rights of migrants. The surge in illegal immigration and the criticism from Republicans only add to the complexity of the issue, making comprehensive and bipartisan immigration reform more difficult to achieve.
It remains to be seen how the Biden administration will navigate these challenges and whether there will be any significant changes in its approach to border security and immigration enforcement in the coming years.
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