The Border, An Election Problem

For now, Democrats are considering promoting tough border policies that, until recently, they described as misguided.

Everything indicates that border security will be in the eye of the U.S. political storm this election year and that no matter what is done, Republicans will call for greater efforts and solutions that would make Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia proud.

In the meantime, Democrats are considering promoting tough border policies that, until recently, they described as misguided.

President Joe Biden’s administration and Democrats in Congress are under pressure from Republicans, who hold a two-vote majority in the House and are in the minority by just two seats in the Senate, to condition approval of a military aid package to Ukraine on passing a budget package with tougher border measures with Mexico. This would also have implications for Israel and Taiwan.

The pressure from Republicans is exacerbated by calls from politicians in Democratic-run cities who are angry about the influx of migrants and from supporters of military aid to Ukraine. “Republicans believe that if they can make 2024 the year of the border — an issue that polls consistently show is a top priority for voters and a vulnerability for Democrats — President Biden will be defeated at the ballot box in November,” Axios reported.

With this in mind, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson led a delegation of 60 Republicans to a border crossing point in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday.

The scene was an interesting montage, Axios reported. “As cameras captured scenes of migrants attempting to cross the border just yards away, members of the Republican delegation threatened to shut down the government unless Biden shut down the border.

Another “chance” photograph shows at least four armed Border Patrol agents aboard a boat observing a family trying to wade across the river.

According to figures “leaked” by the Border Patrol, there were more than 302,000 migrant “encounters” or detentions of suspected migrants without legal documentation at the Mexican border in December.

Official estimates suggest that authorities intercepted nearly 2.5 million migrants without legal documentation trying to reach the U.S in 2023. “Everybody knows that the southern border now is a clear and present danger, the country knows it’s a clear and present danger. The numbers [of migrants] are staggering,” said Republican Sen. Rick Scott. His fellow believers spoke of militarization and execution.

For the time being, Republicans will do whatever it takes, including shutting down the government, to push for greater border security against immigration to drug trafficking. But not before the election in November.