Staff Reports
The Biden administration seems to be patting itself on the back for the recent drop in illegal immigrants caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, but let’s not start handing out awards just yet. According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 117,906 immigrants were detained in May, marking the third-lowest tally in 40 months. This figure is being touted as a success, yet it overlooks the fact that this decrease happened during a time of year when border crossings typically surge.
A closer look reveals that much of this so-called progress owes more to states like Texas rather than any meaningful steps taken by the Biden administration. Texas, led by Governor Greg Abbott, ramped up enforcement at its border, helping to cut down on unlawful entries. Meanwhile, Biden’s playbook appears to consist of doing just about everything but securing the border. The administration has even introduced parole programs designed to funnel immigrants through ports of entry, adding another 119,000 to the monthly tally who were either turned away or grudgingly let in.
Washington Examiner: Illegal border crossings drop to third-lowest level under Biden in May https://t.co/n81BnMX1nf
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) June 20, 2024
It’s convenient timing, to say the least. The numbers game is being played right before election season, with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s administration implementing policies that just so happen to make Biden look good. According to Joshua Trevino of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, this drop in crossings is less random chance and more election-year maneuvering, suggesting a coordinated effort to ensure Biden has a smoother road to reelection.
Adding fuel to this border circus, incoming Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who takes office in October, appears poised to continue policies favorable to Biden. Trevino insinuates that efforts to reduce migration through Mexico are strategic moves to bolster Biden’s electoral standing. Funny how the brewing storm at the border conveniently started to settle just as campaign season heats up.
While some like Adam Isacson of the Washington Office on Latin America may argue that the change came after high-level talks between U.S. and Mexican officials in December, it’s clear the supposed success is more a patchwork of state-level initiatives and international political chess. Any apparent decline in border crossings amid these juggled statistics and election-year collusion claims from Mexico is hardly the grand victory the Biden administration is eager to sell.
So before anyone gets too excited about “falling” numbers, let’s recognize who’s actually putting in the work here. It’s not Biden’s team playing 4D chess; it’s states like Texas doing the heavy lifting on border security while the administration continues to fiddle around, hoping no one notices the strings being pulled behind the scenes.
