Border Crisis Escalates Despite Biden Administration Claims
As the Biden administration grapples with its immigration policy, officials at the U.S. southern border are struggling to manage a surge of migrants, with thousands being released into the country daily and more streaming in.
While the administration has not yet released official immigration totals for the month of August, reports suggest that numbers are climbing back to the levels seen in May. Over the course of this past weekend, an average of 9,000 individuals were caught or processed crossing the southern border illegally or through ports of entry, with Monday alone seeing more than 9,700 encounters.
These figures do not even account for the number of "got-aways," who successfully enter the country without being caught. This means that the actual number of migrants entering the U.S. is likely much higher. The daily record for border crossings was set in May, before the repeal of Title 42, when over 10,000 individuals were encountered per day.
The recent increase in border crossings follows the repeal of Title 42, a Trump-era health order that allowed authorities to block migrants from seeking asylum on COVID-related grounds. This decision, combined with the easing of temperatures in Central and South America, has made the journey to the U.S. more attractive and accessible to many.
One dramatic example of this trend is the recent footage of a freight train loaded with hundreds of migrants leaving Zacatecas, Mexico, on its way to the United States. Just days later, another train was filmed stopped near the Mexican city of Monclova, en route to Piedras Negras, which is located just across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas.
Meanwhile, further south in Panama, the Darien Gap is witnessing an unprecedented level of foot traffic as migrants make their way from South America towards the U.S. border. This strip of undeveloped forest and swamp, which takes about a week to hike through, is proving deadly for many.
According to independent journalist Michael Yon, volunteers and NGOs in Central and South America are making the journey through the Darien Gap easier for migrants, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of individuals attempting the crossing.
Despite the clear signs of a worsening border crisis, the Biden administration has failed to effectively manage the issue since taking office. Voices from both sides of the political spectrum have attributed this surge in immigration to the administration's perceived lax policies.
Meanwhile, factors such as the desire for affordable housing have also contributed to the surge in migration. The Daily Wire's investigation into the housing development known as Colony Ridge, located outside of Houston, uncovered that the development is drawing both illegal immigrants and drug cartels.
As Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas stated, the Colony Ridge development is "a continuation of these wide open border policies," highlighting the need for the administration to take immediate action in addressing the border crisis. With thousands of people crossing the southern border every day, it is clear that effective and sustainable solutions are urgently needed.