Mayorkas to talk about fewer people crossing the border during his visit
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is set to visit Arizona on Wednesday to highlight the significant decrease in illegal migrant numbers following President Biden’s recent executive actions on asylum processing. Mayorkas will address reporters in Tucson, emphasizing that arrests for illegal border crossings have dropped more than 40% since the executive order took effect, according to the Department of Homeland Security. This reduction is a testament to the effective implementation of the president’s proclamation by immigration enforcement agencies.
During an interview with ABC’s “This Week,” Mayorkas emphasized that the administration is conducting more removal flights than ever before and expediting the processing of individuals throughout the immigration system. Those who do not qualify for asylum are being swiftly removed or returned. These developments bring positive news for President Biden, who faces criticism from former President Trump over his handling of immigration policies.
For years, the United States has witnessed record numbers of migrant crossings at the border, with over 2.4 million encounters in FY 23 alone, in addition to other peak years of border crossings. Republicans, including Trump, have been quick to blame Biden for the crisis, attributing it to his policies, including the reversal of Trump-era immigration measures. At a recent rally in Philadelphia, Trump accused Biden of releasing dangerous criminals into American communities, leading to grave consequences.
Trump’s stance on immigration enforcement is clear, as he pledges the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history if re-elected. He promises to overturn all Open Border policies of the Biden administration, deploy special forces to the border, and reinstate the travel ban from 2017. In contrast, Biden advocates for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reforms to address the shortcomings of the current system. He has proposed legislation that includes a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants residing in the country.
As the immigration debate intensifies, both Biden and Trump present divergent views on how to tackle the issue. Trump favors stringent enforcement measures to secure the border and remove those who enter the country unlawfully. Meanwhile, Biden stresses the need for legislative action to revamp the immigration system and offer undocumented individuals a chance to attain legal status.
Amid political tensions and contrasting viewpoints, the upcoming CNN Presidential Debate on Thursday is expected to shed light on the ongoing immigration crisis. Biden and Trump will confront each other on their respective immigration policies, providing a platform for each candidate to defend their approach in addressing the challenges at the border.
With no bipartisan agreement in sight, Biden has resorted to implementing unilateral actions to curb asylum claims and deportation shields for certain groups of undocumented immigrants. However, he acknowledges that these measures are temporary solutions and stresses the urgency for Congress to enact lasting reforms to fix the broken immigration system.
Mayorkas echoed the President’s sentiments, urging Congress to take action in overhauling the existing immigration framework. The demand for comprehensive reform is underscored by the need to address the inadequacies in the detention and removal processes, a persistent issue that has plagued immigration enforcement efforts for decades.
Despite facing challenges and opposition from House Republicans who sought to impeach him earlier in the year, Mayorkas continues his role as Homeland Security Secretary, working towards enhancing border security and immigration enforcement. His recent visit to the U.S.-Mexico border reaffirms the administration’s commitment to addressing the complex issues surrounding illegal immigration and asylum processing.
As the immigration debate unfolds and the public discourse intensifies, the focus remains on finding sustainable solutions to the border crisis and ensuring the safety and security of both American citizens and migrants seeking refuge in the United States.
