Staff Reports
The southern border has reportedly seen some semblance of order as President Biden has managed to achieve numbers reminiscent of the pre-chaos days of the Obama administration. November brought in just shy of 100,000 apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border, which marks a stark contrast to some of the numbers seen during Biden’s troubled tenure. Yet, the timeline should be reviewed carefully; remarkably, January 2021 had only a hint of Biden’s direct influence, with two-thirds of that month still being under President Trump’s watchful eye.
According to the latest reports, the Border Patrol chalked up fewer than 47,000 arrests, the best numbers seen since mid-2020. This occurrence might even raise eyebrows among both sides of the political aisle, as it also noted a steep decline in the number of migrant families and unaccompanied minors crossing the border. Interestingly enough, even Biden’s much-touted “catch-and-release” tactic known as the parole system seems to be losing steam, leaving some wondering if this new enforcement strategy will stick around or be traded for more liberal pursuits down the road.
As Biden exits, the border is finally coming under controlhttps://t.co/P3TA4fPuDz pic.twitter.com/MWtKeYxPN5
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 20, 2024
Homeland Security officials have been quick to dance in the streets, taking credit for this sudden uptick in control, advising that their “enhanced enforcement efforts” and newfound cooperation with Mexico and Central American nations are producing spectacular results—whatever that means in bureaucrat speak. Troy Miller from Customs and Border Protection waved his magic wand and proclaimed that their grand strategy is working and they deserve a gold star.
The numbers become even more compelling when digging deeper. One terrorism suspect was finally nabbed in November, the lowest monthly total during Biden’s reign. After a lot of head-scratching back in the heyday of chaos, it might appear the Biden administration is stumbling on its new approach after all. However, a seasoned observer would likely point out that any progress ought to be tempered with the context of the previous disarray, which saw numerous terror suspects caught on their way into the country.
However, this new-found moment of calm, touted as a victory, might be too little too late for Biden and his second-in-command, Kamala Harris. With former President Trump waiting in the wings and eager to regain the narrative, the administration might not have much time to bask in the glow of reports that suggest a reduction in illegal crossings. Some analysts even attribute the slight decrease to what they are dubbing the “Trump effect,” with migrants reconsidering their ambitions of crossing the border due to the looming shadow of stricter policies.
The new figures paint a picture of a complex and mixed landscape. While the 94,190 encounters in November are a relief compared to the shocking total of nearly 302,000 apprehensions last December, the almost laughable backstory of 7.3 million arrests since February 2021 means there’s still a mountain to climb. It seems a good chunk of these individuals have likely slipped into the ether of American society, seldom to be seen again. The ephemeral success of current border management isn’t a triumph; it’s more of an abrupt realization that the path ahead is loaded with political landmines.
