In the ever-shifting political landscape, the battle over border control has been raging fiercely for years. As President Biden grapples with a delicate balancing act of compassion and security, a closer examination reveals that his policies have laid the groundwork for the sweeping crackdown initiated by his successor, President Trump.
Border Enforcement to Tackle Immigration Surge
Biden’s Policies Have Intensified Trump’s Hardline Approach
Border enforcement has become a significant focus of the Biden administration’s immigration strategy, with policies echoing the hardline approach implemented under the Trump administration. The administration has deployed increased border patrols, expanded expedited removal procedures, and initiated a “Remain in Mexico” program, all aimed at deterring illegal immigration and reducing border crossings.
Additionally, the Biden administration has continued the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border and enhanced the use of surveillance technologies, such as drones and motion sensors. These measures have been met with criticism from immigration advocates, who argue that they are ineffective and inhumane. They contend that such policies create a culture of fear and do little to address the root causes of migration, such as poverty and violence.
Reversing Course on Asylum Seekers
Reversing Course on Asylum Seekers
The Biden administration announced a plan to admit 125,000 asylum-seekers stranded in Mexico, reversing a Trump-era policy that forced them to wait in dangerous Mexican border towns while their cases were processed in U.S. courts. The move is a welcome first step in addressing the humanitarian crisis at the border but falls short of fully undoing the Trump administration’s draconian immigration policies.
The Trump administration’s asylum policies inflicted immense suffering on asylum-seekers, who were often forced to live in squalid conditions and subjected to violence and extortion. The Biden administration’s plan would allow asylum-seekers to enter the United States and await their court hearings in relative safety. However, the plan does not address the root causes of asylum-seeking, such as poverty and violence in Central America. To truly fix the asylum system, the United States must invest in addressing the root causes of migration and provide safe and humane treatment to those seeking refuge.
To Conclude
Whether one agrees with Biden’s policies or not, it is clear that they represent a marked departure from Trump’s approach to border security. Biden has made it clear that he believes in a more humane and compassionate approach to immigration, one that focuses on addressing the root causes of migration and providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Whether this approach will be successful remains to be seen but it is a significant shift from the policies of the Trump administration. Only time will tell what the long-term effects of these changes will be.
