Border security issue: Everything you need to know, from surging illegal migrants to failed border bill

A look at the key aspects of the US border security issue

Border security and illegal immigration have taken center stage in United States politics as the nation prepares to select the 47th President. The number of undocumented migrants entering the country, crossing the US-Mexico border, reached an all-time high, creating a political division fueled by Democrats and Republicans blaming each other for causing the catastrophe. Since the matter holds significant weight in the upcoming election, let's delve into the key aspects that one should be aware of in the border security crisis.

1. Why illegal immigration across US-Mexico border surged?

President Joe Biden's administration saw a record number of undocumented migrants entering the US through its southern border. The lifting up of COVID lockdown measures specifically led to a massive surge in the number of people escaping crisis-stricken Central American nations, reaching a 302,000 record high number in December 2023. Additionally, migrants wishing to get to the US were hesitant due to former President Donald Trump's border policies, including the border wall and increased deportations. However, when President Joe Biden took office, illegal immigration increased as many felt it would be easier to enter the nation. Moreover, the President's failure to pass meaningful immigration laws to stall the trend added to the crisis.

2. Democrats and Republicans' differing rhetoric on illegal migrants

The Republicans and Democrats have been divided on the worsening border crisis. The GOP consistently labeled the illegal migration as an "invasion" and the migrants as "aliens." Republicans aligning with Donald Trump blamed the Biden administration and the Democrats over the border management policies, accusing them of failing to protect the American population. Moreover, the recent showdown between the national government and Texas Governor Greg Abbott shows the severity of the situation as the latter's move to close a migrant crossing point was overturned by the Supreme Court.

3. Cities are struggling to manage migrants

The skyrocketing number of undocumented immigrants entering the US is strangling the cities, leading to a polarized political environment. For instance, since 2022, Texas, a state at the forefront of the crisis, sent more than 100,000 migrants to Democartic-ruled cities, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. Sheltering the immigrants, especially in the winter, has raised concerns. Additionally, many depend on donors for basic necessities like food, clothing, and medicines as authorities fail to provide resources to the overwhelming number of migrants.

4. Senate blocks border security deal

The Biden administration has been looking forward to a legislative win through the bipartisan border deal. However, Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, voiced their opposition, calling the bill "worse than expected." The $118 billion bill was unveiled on February 4. On February 7, the GOP Senators blocked the long-awaited bill, putting the migration crisis on the back burner. The border issue will remain afresh amid the ongoing presidential election campaign, which will likely become the deciding factor of a possible Biden-Trump rematch.

5. House Republicans fail to impeach Homeland Security Secretary

A significant development in the border crisis is the failure of House Republicans to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. GOP Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene initiated the impeachment, accusing Mayorkas of causing the situation at the US-Mexico border. However, the Hosue voted 214 to 216, with 4 Republican members defecting from their party to vote against the removal. This has been a severe political setback for the GOP-controlled House, earlier accused that Biden and Mayorkas had "willfully ignored and actively undermined our nation's immigration laws."

6. Migrant crisis becomes the focal point of 2024 presidential election

The worsening crisis at the US-Mexico border has become the center of the 2024 presidential election, which will likely be a Biden-trump rematch. The former President, who is closing in on the GOP nomination, has effectively weaponized the crisis to attack his successor. Trump's recent campaign ad accused the incumbent by stating, "YOU DID THIS JOE" over the border situation. Moreover, he also lobbied the GOP Senators to kill the border bill to prevent Biden a legislative victory ahead of the November election.