Biden and Harris have indeed tightened border security, not through physical barriers, but through an invisible boundary. Let’s consider the story of one migrant named Cleyber, an undocumented individual hoping to make his way into American territory. Ironically, instead of attempting illegal entry, he’s chosen the path of patience, waiting at the border in a hammock and persuading others to do the same. This unusual situation is a result of sophisticated strategies initiated by the Biden-Harris leadership; these strategies have turned out to be what former President Trump could have only dreamt of implementing.
It appeared at first that the new administration was reluctant to acknowledge the skyrocketing illegal immigration, arguing they were neglecting the border crisis. Indeed, Biden and Harris have been heavily criticized for their handling of immigration, as rates of illegal entries into the U.S jumped to a record high during their tenure. To understand why this happened and how the administration responded, I decided to analyze data, read Homeland Security reports, sift through migrants’ social media posts and speeches.
During this extensive exploration, I made an unexpected discovery; the Biden-Harris administration hadn’t been neglecting the border crisis. From the beginning of their term, they’d been subtly implementing policies that reshaped border security in a way that aligns with many conservative values. Their approach differed from Trump’s; it produced a surge in immigration initially due to their seemingly welcoming stance, but their nuanced approach led to a significant transformation at the border.
For far too long, the border was viewed as a freely accessible entryway that indiscriminately let in people by the millions, a perception that the nuance of the Biden-Harris approach gradually altered. To challenge the prevailing notions, let’s revisit former President Trump’s allegations. Trump’s claim about leaving office in 2020 was incorrect; he left in 2021, with immigration already on the rise. However, under Biden and Harris, the surge was controlled and then reduced.
Observers rapidly label these regulatory modulations as politically motivated shifts due to electoral pressures. However, upon close inspection, I found a consistent rhythm in policy changes that have remained largely unnoticed. The myopic view espoused by Trump and his followers would have us believe that the solution to immigration lies solely at the border. This perspective fails to recognize that migration is a complex process with many tributaries leading to the American destination, like the story of Inna and her daughter Abby’s journey.
Inna and Abby escaped an oppressive regime in Venezuela, seeking refuge first in Colombia, and then continuing their quest for a better life by trekking through a perilous Panamanian jungle. Inna documented their voyage on TikTok, and, as a result, unintentionally stimulated further migration by providing guidance to others. It was on this journey that she befriended Cleyber, and they journeyed together.
Recall when Trump promised that Mexico would finance the border wall? Interestingly, under Biden and Harris’s lead, Mexico, among nineteen other countries, essentially contributed to a figurative wall. This resulted in a massive dip in migration, something apparently triggered by a simple policy adjustment in a foreign country, that controlled the stream of migrants to the U.S.
Furthermore, when migration witnessed a resurgence in 2023, the U.S. persuaded Mexico to deploy troops to restrict migrants, causing migration to slump again. Following newly imposed asylum restrictions by President Biden, migration took yet another dive. It appeared to many hopeful migrants, such as Jorge, a Venezuelan with dreams of the U.S., that the door to asylum had essentially closed. This led Jorge to abandon his American dream and instead establish a life in Colombia.
Cleyber’s experience is equally telling. He attempted a border crossing but was captured and sent back. Behind the scenes, Biden and Harris were thoughtfully carrying out a plan that even the Republicans could appreciate. They weren’t just adhering to American values; they were modeling them.
There is another aspect to their strategy, seemingly counterintuitive but integral to their migration management plan. On the surface, it appears contradictory to admit people deliberately, but they had a plan. They set up more legal avenues for migrants, creating a system where the legal entry of some discouraged others from attempting unlawful crossings.
Yes, you might think, they’re purposefully letting migrants in? This doesn’t negate the observations thus far but adds to them. Allowing some entries on legal grounds is a strategic move intended to manage the influx better and reduce illegal crossings.
After spending a year in Mexican limbo, Cleyber, like many others, was granted legal entry into the United States. The process doesn’t involve haphazard border crossing at non-designated locations but lawful entries at airports after thorough background checks. These individuals have familial ties or guarantors in the U.S. financially accountable for them.
This method of border security is anything but a compromise on values; it exemplifies upholding them. Biden and Harris have managed to strike a balance between national security needs and the defense of American ideals – a feat Trump failed to achieve.
To state that Biden and Harris have secured the border isn’t an exaggeration but rather an acknowledgment of their strategic measures. By introducing subtle changes, putting faith in international diplomacy, setting up more legal pathways for immigration, and diversifying their strategies, they have managed to bring about a transformation that was previously unimaginable.
The reformation of immigration policies under Biden and Harris may not have resulted in physical walls, but their impact is clearly evident. Their strategies have changed the narrative on immigration and border security, providing a more humane approach without compromising security needs.
It is imperative to understand that securing borders doesn’t necessarily require building walls. The Biden-Harris approach has proven that effective border management can be achieved through innovative and strategic policies; fulfilling promises with actions, not rhetoric.