In the wake of U.
S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meeting with Mexican President Lopez Obrador, former President Donald Trump has lambasted the Biden administration's border control efforts and the prevailing conditions at the southern border.
The meeting coincided with a caravan of over 15,000 migrants advancing towards the US-Mexico border.
"Our border is out of control like no border in history, from any country, has ever been. We are being extorted by Mexico and other countries, when it should be the other way around. We truly are a nation in decline, a failing nation, with leadership that is not respected and doesn't have a clue... and just 3 years ago, we had the strongest and safest border in our history, by far. Make America great again!" Trump declared on Truth Social.
Trump's 2016 presidential campaign was anchored on a pledge to secure the border against the influx of illegal immigrants, a promise he fulfilled. His administration implemented policies that deterred illegal immigrants from entering the US, constructed a border wall, and adopted a stringent stance against illegal border crossings, leading to a significant reduction in the number of illegal immigrants.
Anticipating a softer approach to border security under Biden, potential border crossers began preparing to enter the US even before Biden assumed office in 2021. Alejandro Mayorkas, Biden's Department of Homeland Security head, reportedly told immigrants in spring 2021, "we're not saying don't come, we're saying don't come now." He later denied making such a statement.
In February 2021, Biden signed an executive order aimed at facilitating the entry of illegal immigrants into the US and ensuring their access to social services programs. "Consistent with our character as a Nation of opportunity and of welcome, it is essential to ensure that our laws and policies encourage full participation by immigrants, including refugees, in our civic life; that immigration processes and other benefits are delivered effectively and efficiently; and that the Federal Government eliminates sources of fear and other barriers that prevent immigrants from accessing government services available to them," Biden stated.
The term "refugee" was crucial in this context as it allowed illegal immigrants to claim refugee status, seek asylum, and be assigned court dates to present their asylum cases. In August 2022, Mayorkas stated that the administration's objective was not to curtail illegal entry but to establish "safe, orderly, and legal pathways for individuals to be able to access our legal system." However, only 5 percent qualify for asylum, and many who claim this status fail to appear in court.
Under Biden's leadership, the US has witnessed unprecedented levels of illegal immigration, with millions crossing the US-Mexico border. In contrast, under Trump's final year in office, fewer than 500,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended. Biden's policy involves apprehending illegal immigrants, providing them with free cell phones, assigning them court dates years in the future, and offering them transportation to the US interior.
Once these migrants reach major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, they gain legal standing and become eligible for welfare and social services programs. In New York, Trump's hometown, government officials are struggling to manage the massive influx of migrants.
New York Mayor Eric Adams has sought assistance from the Biden administration, but he expressed skepticism about the likelihood of receiving aid following his meeting with the administration.
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