Biden’s border clash in Texas
Where is the Line Between Texas and Mexico?
It’s a question that captivated Americans in 1846, but one that we thought was resolved in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. However, in 2024, the Biden administration is conducting a bold experiment in postnationalism, reducing border enforcement to a series of checkpoints and pinky swears as it ushers in a record number of illegal immigrants from around the world. This slow-motion crisis has finally become a top concern in voters’ minds.
But is the federal government’s failure to act a prelude to civil war? Despite the overheated rhetoric in the press, it’s not likely.
A Record Number of Illegal Crossings
President Joe Biden’s determination to roll back Trump-era restrictions has led to an immediate increase in illegal crossings. In February 2021, Biden’s first full month in office, Customs and Border Protection officers had more than 100,000 land encounters on the Mexican border. Each month thereafter, at least 140,000 people crossed into the country illegally, many of them trafficked by cartels.
The administration did nothing to stop them. Anyone who was caught could claim asylum, and migrants were processed and released in the United States to await a court date that could be years away. Meanwhile, the communities along the border were left to find them food and shelter.
In December of last year, the number of encounters grew to 302,304 — a new all-time record. Even Democrats were beginning to doubt the wisdom of Biden’s catch-and-release system.
A Population Transfer Like Never Before
Another way to look at it: The total encounters on the border since Biden took office is over 7 million, which is larger than the population of 15 states. This massive population transfer over such a short period is unprecedented in American history.
Having a defined territory is one of the essential attributes of statehood in international law. Effectively opening the border by executive inaction invites lawlessness. It’s no wonder that Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas was compelled to take action.
A Strange Dispute
The dispute between Biden and Abbott is strange because it concerns a federal government determined not to act, but also to keep Texas from acting. The Texas Department of Public Safety took over a park in Eagle Pass, one of the centers of illegal entry, and strung barbed wire to keep people from crossing the border there. The administration, at last, was stirred to action, against Texas.
Republican governors across the country have pledged their support to Abbott, who calls Biden’s dereliction of duty “lawless” and holds that the result is an invasion that requires him “to invoke Texas’s constitutional authority to defend and protect itself.”
The Voters’ Concern
As a political matter, the ever-increasing flow of illegal immigration has become voters’ top concern, with 77% of them saying that the administration should cut a deal with the Republicans to increase border security. The voters want a border. Will the administration listen?
Kyle Sammin is the managing editor of Broad + Liberty.
What historical factors and disagreements have contributed to the ongoing border dispute between Texas and Mexico?
T may never come. This lack of enforcement and the perception of an open border policy has attracted a record number of illegal immigrants, causing a strain on the immigration system and raising concerns about national security.
The Border Dispute
The line between Texas and Mexico has been subject to dispute for centuries. The Rio Grande, which forms a natural boundary between the two countries, has shifted over time due to various factors such as erosion and sedimentation. This has led to conflicting claims over land and water rights, and disagreements on where the boundary should be drawn.
Historically, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, established the boundary between Texas and Mexico. However, the exact location of the border has remained a contentious issue. In some areas, the border is marked by physical barriers such as fences and walls, while in others it is simply a line on a map.
The current situation at the border has reignited the debate over the border dispute. With increased illegal crossings, there is growing pressure to secure the border and clarify the boundary between Texas and Mexico. This has prompted calls for increased funding for border security and the construction of more physical barriers.
A Postnationalist Experiment
The Biden administration’s approach to border enforcement has been described as a bold experiment in postnationalism. The idea behind this approach is to shift from a focus on national borders to a more inclusive and humanitarian approach. Instead of strict enforcement and deterrence, the administration aims to address the root causes of migration and create a more efficient and fair immigration system.
While this approach has been applauded by advocates of open borders and immigration reform, it has also faced criticism and backlash. Critics argue that without proper enforcement, the integrity of the border is compromised and national security is at risk. They argue that allowing large numbers of illegal immigrants to enter the country unchecked undermines the rule of law and creates an unfair burden on border communities.
The Way Forward
Addressing the crisis at the border requires a balanced approach that takes into account both humanitarian and national security concerns. Increased funding for border security, including the construction of physical barriers in areas where they are necessary, can help to deter illegal crossings and protect national security. At the same time, efforts should be made to address the root causes of migration and create a more efficient and fair immigration system.
Furthermore, greater cooperation and dialogue between the United States and Mexico is necessary to resolve the border dispute and ensure that the boundary between the two countries is clearly defined. This will help to prevent future conflicts and provide a framework for effective border management.
The question of where the line between Texas and Mexico lies may never be definitively answered. However, addressing the current crisis at the border requires decisive action and a commitment to both national security and humanitarian concerns.
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