January 9, 2023—The immigration issue is about the largest hot-button political issue in U.S. politics today.
It is one of the most emotionally charged issues generating the highest level of noise and legitimate criticism. Moreover, it’s about as difficult to enter the political discourse as any. The battle is fierce, and it’s nearly impossible to find a consensus. It involves the question of care for humanity as well as the legitimate right of a nation-state to define its borders.
Any pragmatic solution is likely to be attacked from multiple sides. Also, it’s hard to find common ground for even a debate. But there are some things people can’t argue about.
Migrants On The Streets
Here’s a basic fact of the immigration problem: As the number of migrants to the United States surged into the millions in 2021 and 2022, the U.S. capacity to legally process and manage them did not keeping up with demand.
As a result, migrants are taking refuge on public sidewalks despite the freezing Winter weather.
A Sanitized Visit
The city of El Paso reportedly cleared their sidewalks of migrants prior to Biden’s visit, and it was no doubt a sanitized visit. It is still noteworthy that Biden engaged on the issue in person.
Biden’s Approach
Before heading to Mexico City for a summit with North American leaders today, President Joe Biden cautiously approached the topic of the border crisis. On Sunday, he visited the border town of El Paso, Texas—his first to the U.S.-Mexican border since taking office two years ago. He visited the border wall to access enforcement operations at the port of entry there and a federally funded migrant service center.
He met with Border Protection officers, Reps. Veronica Escobar, Henry Cuellar, Vicente González, and El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser. What’s more, Texas Governor Greg Abbott met him at the airport, delivering the president a caustically written letter.
“When you finish the photo-ops in a carefully stage-managed version of El Paso, you have a job to do,” Abbott wrote, while asking for stronger enforcement actions.
For his part, Biden did a practical thing: He promised to send more federal money and resources to the border. That is not to say it is significant or impactful for an issue that is larger than a budgetary one. But it is something local officials are asking for, and money talks.
“They need a lot of resources, and we’re going to get it for them,” Biden said.
His Homeland Security Secretary offered more details.
The administration is sending federal resources to border towns like El Paso for both enforcement and humanitarian needs, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on Sunday. That includes additional agents for border control and provisions for food and shelter, Mayorkas reported to news media at the White House. Furthermore, he said the administration’s new procedures for asylum seekers, including a new CBP One App, are intended to encourage a safer and more orderly way for migrants to come.
While there’s no guarantee the app will work in creating order, its success or failure should be easy to track.
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