Overview
President Joe Biden, during a speech at the Democratic National Convention, blamed former President Donald Trump for the current border crisis and credited his own executive actions for improving border security. However, despite Biden’s claims, illegal border crossings and apprehensions have soared to record highs under his administration, while critics argue that recent improvements are largely the result of state-led efforts, not federal policy.
Why It Matters
The ongoing crisis at the southern border threatens national security, economic stability, and public safety, making it critical for U.S. citizens to demand effective immigration policies that prioritize safety and order.
Who It Impacts
This issue directly impacts border states, law enforcement, and American communities struggling with the consequences of illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and national security concerns.
During his late-night address at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Monday, President Joe Biden pointed fingers at his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, and Republicans, for the ongoing crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. Biden claimed that Trump’s rejection of a bipartisan border deal and his overall approach to immigration were responsible for the record-breaking surge of illegal crossings that have occurred during Biden’s tenure. “Trump continues to lie about the border,” Biden declared to the crowd. “Here’s what he won’t tell you: Trump killed the strongest bipartisan border deal in the history of the United States.”
Biden went on to take credit for recent dips in border crossing numbers, attributing the change to executive actions he claimed were essential for stabilizing the situation. “The result of the executive action I took, border encounters have dropped over 50%,” Biden claimed. “In fact, there are fewer border crossings today than when Donald Trump left office.” Biden insisted that his administration had done more to secure the southern border than Trump had ever accomplished.
Yet, despite Biden’s assertions, the facts tell a different story. Illegal immigration has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels under Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, with nearly 2 million apprehensions per year since they took office. This figure does not account for “gotaways”—migrants observed crossing the border but evading capture—which are estimated at 1.7 million during Biden’s tenure, exceeding the total number recorded over an entire decade from 2010 to 2020. If current trends continue, the number of total border encounters under Biden could exceed 10 million by the end of this fiscal year.
Adding to the severity of the situation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection have encountered at least 372 individuals on the terror watch list who attempted to cross the border illegally. Meanwhile, the flood of fentanyl into the country has led to a devastating surge in overdose deaths. Last year alone, nearly 75,000 Americans died from fentanyl-related overdoses, according to the CDC, further heightening concerns about the consequences of lax border security.
Critics have been quick to challenge Biden’s narrative, arguing that the recent drop in border encounters is not the result of federal executive action but instead a testament to state-level initiatives. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has emerged as a leading voice in this debate, having launched Operation Lone Star to secure the southern border in response to what he described as federal inaction. Abbott’s efforts have been credited with helping reduce the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S., even as Biden’s administration seeks to block him through legal battles.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s announcement in July that border encounters had dropped by 32% from the previous month was heralded by the Biden administration as proof of the success of its policies. However, Abbott and other critics have pointed to the aggressive measures taken by border states, particularly Texas, as the true reason for the recent improvements. Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, which includes deploying state law enforcement and National Guard troops to the border, has been touted as a critical counterbalance to the federal government’s approach.
The southern border remains a focal point of national debate, with the crisis showing little sign of resolution. While Biden attempts to shift the blame to Trump and takes credit for recent improvements, the reality on the ground points to a deeper and more complex issue. From a rise in illegal crossings to the smuggling of dangerous drugs like fentanyl and the presence of potential national security threats, the consequences of the current border policies are being felt across the country. Many Americans are left questioning whether the administration’s actions are sufficient to address the ongoing crisis, or if more decisive measures are needed to secure the border and protect national interests.
