By Sean Mueck
Last Thursday saw both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump traveling to Texas to survey the large influx in migrants attempting to cross the southern border. Around 140,000 migrants attempted to cross the border last month, up from January’s total of 125,000.
Despite the influx in migrants, numbers were still down from the high of December, where approximately 10,000 migrants were attempting to cross every day. Experts say, numbers usually dip into the New Year and then start growing once more.
Migrants attempting to search for refuge in the United States hail from numerous countries around the world. The largest number of migrants still come from Central and South American nations such as Mexico and Venezuela, though Chinese immigrants have recently seen a spike in appearances as well.
The journey to the border is a long and arduous journey for many. Han Lihua, a Chinese citizen seeking asylum in the United States shared his story on Al Jazeera recently, stating how he had to cross through the rainforest in numerous Latin countries to finally make it to the US.
Democrats and Republicans have recently sparred over the reason for the large influx in migrants. According to the Associated Press, Democrats have suggested that “push” factors are the primary cause for immigrants seeking refuge in the United States. “Push” factors are situations in one’s country which force them to leave their native country in search of a better situation. “Push” factors can include economic instability, rising civil unrest of one’s governing body, or dangerous living situations such as gang violence. Migrants fleeing from “push” factors are suggested to file for asylum once reaching the United States. Seeking asylum is a legal right in the United States after the country adopted the Refugee Act of 1980.
Republicans have instead suggested that “pull” factors are the leading reason for the influx in migrants. “Pull” factors are current conditions in the United States which seem more favorable to migrants. Republicans claim that under the Biden administration, migrants believe that it is easier to cross and that there will be a lesser chance of them being detained and deported.
The debate over illegal immigration has long hovered over American politics. Many believe that illegal immigrants will take jobs from working citizens despite this being a fallacy. Many progressives believe that the republican coined “crisis” or “invasion” is overblown and over-dramatized, with many of the core beliefs over immigration stemming from xenophobia and racism. Republicans believe that Democrats are too lenient on immigration and take away from those who try to become citizens legally.
Last month, Republicans blocked a Biden Administration bipartisan border bill which had been negotiated previously. According to NBC, a White House spokesperson said, “The administration spent months negotiating in good faith to deliver the toughest and fairest bipartisan border security bill in decades because we need Congress to make significant policy reforms and to provide additional funding to secure our border.” They went on to state that “Today, Congressional Republicans chose to put partisan politics ahead of our national security and voted against what border agents have said they need. No regulatory actions would accomplish what the bipartisan national security agreement would have done for border security and the immigration system at large.”
Despite the large backlash the Biden Administration has garnered over the border situation, many claim that house republicans purposely blocked bills purposely in order to hinder the Administration’s progress heading into the November elections.
Despite the border being a domestic conflict, its unrest had spread to other parts of foreign policy as well. Numerous aid packages to Ukraine pushed by Biden have been halted in congress after many lawmakers have said that something needs to be done about the border first. With Ukraine’s recent large military defeat at Avdiivka, many officials state that more aid could seriously affect the war as the frontlines transition out of the brutal winter and into spring. Despite the border being a local issue, its current turmoil has international effects.
The visit from both politicians only created a stronger rift between the two parties on how to handle the border. With both Biden and Trump being the current leading candidates for their respective parties heading into one of the most fierce election seasons to date, border policy will certainly be at the forefront of their minds.
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