With the 2024 election just over the horizon, the Biden administration is already feeling some of the weight of a record-breaking number of border crossings. The Biden administration currently holds the record for the largest number of illegal immigrants for recent presidential terms.
The first signs of a potential issue began in March of this year, when Customs and Border Protection reported more than 172,0000 apprehensions along the southwestern border. This was the most elevated monthly total since 2006 – a peak period of illegal crossings during the George W. Bush era. However, this increase was outdone in April, when the number of apprehensions rose to over 178,000.
While President Biden has taken steps to address the issue, the rise in attempted illegal crossings continues to present challenges. Critics of the administration point out the lack of implementation of policies that take into account the root causes of immigration, such as violence and poverty in certain Central American countries. As the number of attempted border crossings continues to climb, the Biden administration is likely to be judged on its ability to handle the influx of illegal immigrants.
The Biden administration has implemented several strategies to tackle the issue; these include sending additional resources to the southwestern border to help manage the influx of immigrants, increased detention capacity and funding to help process and resettle legitimate cases. Biden has also issued orders to crack down on human trafficking schemes.
The Biden administration has also argued that most people attempting to enter the United States are doing so to escape persecution and poverty, which is why a more comprehensive approach is needed to resolve the issue. Biden’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, which prevents immigrants from entering the United States while they try to seek asylum, seems to be one possible solution for resolving the issue.
Ultimately, with the immigration situation still unresolved and the 2024 election season just around the corner, the Biden administration will be judged on its ability to handle the influx of illegal immigrants. Whether they succeed or fail, the record number of border crossings is something that the Biden administration will have to contend with leading up to the next election.