As the 2024 election approaches, the border has come into sharp focus for many voters, who are wanting to see the problems fixed.
WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden took office with a commitment to overturn the previous administration’s immigration policies, calling them “cruel and reckless.” He emphasized that his plan would establish a “fair, orderly, and humane” immigration system while implementing smarter measures to secure the border.
But his administration is now grappling with a historic crisis.
Republicans blame President Biden for eliminating and reversing policies put in place by the Trump administration.
Many people, including those in the liberal media, have also pointed fingers at the Biden administration for the crisis that has now spread to large cities around the country.
Polling suggests that American voters trust former President Donald Trump—the Republican frontrunner in November’s election—more than President Biden on immigration and border-security issues. According to the Pew Research Center, 80 percent of Americans, including 73 percent of Democrats, think the U.S. government has done a bad job of handling the illegal immigrant influx.
The illegal immigrant surge has escalated significantly throughout President Biden’s presidency, shattering record after record. The past six months of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data show it’s getting worse.
As taxpayer expenses pile up, communities nationwide are feeling the strain. And there seems to be no end in sight.
So how did we get here?
2019: The Campaign Trail
President Biden’s pledges to potential illegal immigrants began early in his campaign.
During a Democratic primary debate on June 27, 2019, candidate Biden raised his hand when the host asked if his government health care plan would provide coverage for illegal immigrants.
He raised his hand again when the host said, “Raise your hand if you think it should be a civil offense rather than a crime to cross the border without documentation.”
The host then specifically asked Mr. Biden if someone who is here illegally should be deported if that is his or her only offense.
“That person should not be the focus of deportation,” Mr. Biden responded.
By Emel Akan and Lawrence Wilson
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