Over 100,000 illegal immigrants crossed the US-Mexico border in June, the same month President Joe Biden announced a “crackdown” on illegal border crossings. Additionally, Department of Homeland Security documents obtained by the New York Post revealed that despite the president’s promise to prevent those entering the country between ports of entry from claiming asylum, around 30,000 still managed to do so.
Nonetheless, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised the administration’s actions as a success, saying last week that the restrictions were “working because of their tough response to illegal crossings and because they built on our sustained effort to exercise our full authorities to enforce the law and impose consequences for illegal entry.”
Problem for Biden is that there really are daily stories about migrants who were released into the country after illegally crossing the border and now committing serious crimes. It's a crisis and one that needs to be taken seriously and addressed. There are just from last week: pic.twitter.com/oALUg4CRUh
— AG (@AGHamilton29) June 28, 2024
According to the Post, while the number of illegal immigrants entering the US is still far higher than it was during the previous administration, 20 percent fewer illegal crossings were reported in June compared to the same period in 2023, when Biden was also in charge of keeping the border secure.
The restrictions set forth in the executive order went into effect on June 5, with several exceptions. Those entering the US via the San Diego sector from over 100 countries that don’t accept deportees are exempt, as their home countries won’t take them back. Others exempt include those using the CBP One app to schedule their surrender at a land port of entry and unaccompanied minors. The US’ humanitarian parole program will also allow up to 30,000 illegal immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, among a few other failing nations, to enter per month.
A number of prominent Republicans have criticized Biden’s executive order on the border, with Texas Rep. Chip Roy urging Americans not to be “deceived” by the move, which he deemed “nothing more than a political stunt.”
“He’s trying to appear tough on immigration because he’s losing ground in the polls,” Roy said of Biden. “Remember, he’s already let in over 10 million illegal immigrants, and his new executive order will likely lead to at least 1.5 million more illegal crossings in the next year.” Trump’s last year in office saw less than 500,000 illegal border crossings.
