President Biden to Visit the Border for the First time Since Taking Office
President Biden has announced a series of measures to increase border security and reduce “disorderly and unsafe migration” and will be visiting the border for the first time since taking office.
The President has explained that his administration is attempting to deter illegal immigrants from entering the country while still providing an “orderly, safe, and humane” process for migrants to seek asylum. President Biden’s recent show of strength regarding the border is likely designed to hush conservative criticism over the last few years, who have portrayed him as being soft on illegal immigration.
“My message is this. If you’re trying to leave Cuba, Nicaragua or Haiti, or have agreed to begin a journey to America, do not just show up at the border… stay where you are and apply legally from there.”
President Biden in his White House statement today
The White House’s changes to border enforcement come after the Supreme Court has delayed hearing oral arguments about Title 42 until the spring. Last month, a federal judge declared that Title 42 is unlawful, but the judge’s order to lift Title 42 was put on hold by the Supreme Court.
Title 42 is the Covid-19 era order that limited immigration and allowed the U.S. to turn away migrants that were seeking asylum. It was previously reported by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that there were 50,000 non-Americans who were waiting until Title 42 ended to cross the border and enter the country.
In response to the Supreme Court’s decision, the President has announced that it is extending the parole process to allow up to 30,000 individuals into the country from Nicaragua, Haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela if they can pass vetting. The White House has also announced that Mexico has agreed to accept 30,000 migrants a month that are seeking asylum:
Today, the Biden Administration is announcing it will extend the successful Venezuela parole process and expand it to nationals of Nicaragua, Haiti, and Cuba. Up to 30,000 individuals per month from these four countries, who have an eligible sponsor and pass vetting and background checks, can come to the United States for a period of two years and receive work authorization. Individuals who irregularly cross the Panama, Mexico, or U.S. border after the date of this announcement will be ineligible for the parole process and will be subject to expulsion to Mexico, which will accept returns of 30,000 individuals per month from these four countries who fail to use these new pathways.“
The White House
Illegal immigration has been at a record high since President Biden took office. In 2022, illegal immigration across the Mexico border reached 2.76 million, one million more than migrants crossings in 2021. Estimates from Border Patrol site that it is possible as many as 5 million people have entered into the U.S. illegally during President Biden’s time in office. Many of those attempting to cross our borders have encountered severe heat exposure during the summer, in addition to rugged and unforgiving landscape, including the desert mountains and the Rio Grande River. As a result, a record number of immigrants have died while attempting to make the journey.
