In recent years, illegal immigration has been out of hand with the state of Texas, due to its longest border with Mexico, being the most hit. Lately, California has suffered a huge migrant influx, a trend that will likely set a new record-high number of migrants this fiscal year, as experts predict. As Republicans like to say, the immigration crisis America faces is the worst in the country’s history, and they directly blame the Biden administration for a lack of support and assistance in securing the southern border. This scenario has prompted Republican-led states to address the crisis on their own, dedicating resources and personnel to help Texas deter illegal immigration.
A growing political issue
The issue of illegal immigration has taken center stage in the ongoing presidential campaign. The presumptive Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump is constantly using the immigration crisis to attack his direct opponent, President Joe Biden. Biden’s campaign is struggling to shift the narrative in its favor and address other key issues, like abortion rights, as the illegal immigration crisis has become a significant concern for a growing number of Americans, even those not directly affected.
Too little, too late
Since taking office more than three years ago, the Biden administration has failed to properly address illegal immigration and made it easier for millions of migrants to enter the country, which could cost Biden the upcoming presidential election. During the ongoing presidential campaign, there has been an evident shift in President Biden’s and the federal government’s activities in addressing some of the largest issues, including illegal immigration, but Team Biden’s awakening might be too little and is probably coming way too late.
A belated and desperate measure
Last Thursday, the US Homeland Security Department suggested a new rule for faster expulsion of asylum seekers deemed national security threats or those convicted of serious crimes. President Joe Biden, aiming for re-election in November, faces continuous criticism from Republicans, including his likely rival Donald Trump, who accuse him of letting many undocumented people cross the southern US border.
Criminal backgrounds in the focus of the measure
The proposal aims to let authorities quickly dismiss asylum claims from individuals with specific criminal records shortly after they arrive. Currently, applicants can stay until an immigration judge hears their case, which “can take years and requires significant resources,” according to Homeland Security’s statement. The proposed rule will undergo a 30-day public comment period before taking effect.
Expedite removal
It will allow for “quickly identifying and removing those individuals who present a security risk and have no legal basis to remain here,” the statement quoted Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas as saying. It targets people “convicted of a particularly serious crime, participated in the persecution of others, are inadmissible on national security or terrorism-related grounds,” the department said.
In March, US authorities stopped nearly 190,000 people crossing the border from Mexico without permission, based on government data. Most were from Latin America. This number is a bit lower than February’s and significantly lower than the 302,000 recorded in December.
Missed opportunities
Republicans are also responsible for the ongoing illegal immigration crisis in America, at least for the last few months. House Republicans killed a Democratic-proposed bill earlier this year that aimed to provide massive funding for border security. The border funding was part of a larger bill that also aimed to provide billions of dollars for foreign aid. Democrats, with the help of the majority of House Republicans, passed the government funding package in April, including a bill that included a significant aid package for several foreign nations, such as Ukraine.
This led to another crisis among Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives, resulting in Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s filing a motion to dismiss Speaker Mike Johnson.
