August saw the highest number of apprehensions ever recorded at the border, further exacerbating Biden’s border crisis.
The Biden Border Crisis: Record Number of Illegal Crossings in August
In August, President Joe Biden’s border crisis reached new heights as a staggering 232,972 people were arrested attempting to illegally cross the Southern U.S. border. This is the highest number of arrests recorded for the month since Customs and Border Protection began tracking apprehension statistics in 2000.
Despite the usual decline in illegal border crossings during the summer months, this August saw a surge in activity. Not only did it break the record for the highest number of arrests in a given month since December 2022, but it also pushed CBP’s 2023 fiscal year apprehension total well over 2 million.
The situation is expected to worsen in September as thousands of migrants continue to flood underequipped regions like Eagle Pass, Texas, Tucson, Arizona, and Cochise County, Arizona. In fact, the third weekend in September alone resulted in over 20,000 illegal border crosser arrests.
If this trend continues, the country is on track to surpass the record of nearly 2.4 million illegal border crossers arrested in the 2022 fiscal year by the time the 2023 fiscal year ends in October. These millions of new migrants will likely have already been released by the Biden administration.
Due to a backlog in U.S. immigration courts, some of these migrants may wait years for a court date, leaving little recourse for enforcement. The sudden influx of migrants has forced Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr. to declare a local state of disaster emergency.
It’s a total free for all in Eagle Pass right now. Mass illegal crossing taking place for over an hour and a half. Almost 2 years to the day we saw 15,000+ Haitians under the bridge in Del Rio, we now have thousands of predominantly Venezuelans gathering under Eagle Pass bridge. pic.twitter.com/VkfUQnexGZ
Mayor Salinas, feeling abandoned by the Biden administration, blames President Biden for the crisis affecting his town. He expressed frustration at the lack of communication and assistance from the administration.
Eagle Pass, TX, Mayor Rolando Salinas: “I believe 100% [Biden] does bear some responsibility for this crisis. I haven’t heard from anybody in the administration … We’re here abandoned. We’re on the border. We’re asking for help. This is unacceptable!” pic.twitter.com/vNuEzqw4Ng
Mayor Salinas’ sentiment of feeling abandoned is shared by many, regardless of political affiliation. In June, a survey showed that 73% of Americans believed the Biden administration was doing a poor job handling the U.S.-Mexico border, with 94% acknowledging illegal border crossings as a problem for the country.
The Biden administration’s silence on the overwhelming problems at the border, as highlighted by regions like Eagle Pass, leaves no doubt that their policy is one of uncontrolled mass illegal immigration.
Jordan Boyd is a staff writer at The Federalist and co-producer of The Federalist Radio Hour. Her work has also been featured in The Daily Wire, Fox News, and RealClearPolitics. Jordan graduated from Baylor University with a major in political science and a minor in journalism. Follow her on Twitter @jordanboydtx.
How has the Biden administration’s reversal of Trump-era immigration policies contributed to the surge in illegal border crossings?
And attempting to cross the river,” Mayor Salinas stated.
The Biden administration’s response to the border crisis has been widely criticized. Many argue that the reversal of several Trump-era immigration policies has incentivized migrants to make the dangerous journey to the United States. The repeal of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, for example, has allowed asylum seekers to wait in the United States while their cases are being processed, leading to overcrowded detention facilities and an overwhelmed immigration system.
Furthermore, the administration’s messaging on immigration has contributed to the surge in illegal border crossings. During his campaign, President Biden promised a more compassionate approach to immigration, which some argue has been interpreted as a green light for migration. In addition, the administration’s decision to halt construction of the border wall has left large gaps in border security, making it easier for migrants to cross illegally.
The humanitarian implications of the border crisis are concerning as well. With the influx of migrants, border patrol agents are stretched thin, diverting resources away from other critical security operations. Additionally, the conditions in which migrants are traveling and the activities of human smugglers pose significant risks to their safety. The increase in unaccompanied children attempting to cross the border has also raised concerns about child trafficking and exploitation.
The Biden administration must take immediate action to address this crisis. Stronger border security measures are needed to deter illegal crossings and ensure the safety of both migrants and border patrol agents. Additionally, the backlog in immigration courts needs to be addressed to ensure timely processing of asylum claims and fair treatment for migrants.
Efforts should also be made to address the root causes of migration and improve conditions in countries that are driving people to flee. Increased cooperation with partner nations in the region and targeted foreign aid can help address the economic, political, and social challenges that drive migration.
The border crisis is a pressing issue that requires the attention and action of the Biden administration. The record number of illegal border crossings in August is a stark reminder of the urgency of the situation. It is imperative that comprehensive and effective solutions are implemented to secure the border, protect migrants, and restore order to the immigration system. Failure to address this crisis will have long-lasting consequences for the United States and its immigration policies.
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