Many Americans are divided on whether President Biden should give in to Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s demand for $20 billion a year for Latin American countries in exchange for help combating the illegal immigration crisis. Some believe that complying with a foreign nation’s ultimatum would make the U.S. look weak, while others feel that it is important for the U.S. and Mexico to work together to solve the issue. President Obrador has called on the U.S. to provide financial aid to Latin American countries, lift sanctions on Venezuela, end the Cuban embargo, and legalize millions of Hispanics who have worked and lived in the U.S. for at least a decade.
There has been a surge in migrants crossing into the U.S. under President Biden’s watch, with a record 2.4 million migrant encounters in fiscal year 2023. This is a sharp increase from roughly 1.7 million encounters in 2021. Migrant encounters reached a record 302,000 in December of that year, and in February of the following year, there were 189,922 encounters – a 21% increase from the year prior. Border officials have also encountered 69 individuals on the FBI terror watchlist between ports of entry at the southern border in the first five months of the fiscal year, which is significantly more than the combined 26 caught from 2017 to 2021.
Many Americans have strong opinions on whether the U.S. government should comply with Mexico’s demands. Some believe that doing so would make the U.S. look weak, while others argue that it is important to address the root causes of migration in order to combat the crisis. There are differing views on whether President Biden is capable of standing up to Mexican pressure, with some questioning his leadership and others expressing a desire for stronger action on illegal immigration. The ongoing issues at the southern border have raised concerns about national security and the U.S. government’s ability to effectively handle the situation.
There are differing opinions on how to address the escalating border crisis, with some advocating for tougher measures on illegal immigration, such as improving border security and enforcing existing laws. Others believe that providing assistance to Latin American countries and addressing the root causes of migration could help alleviate the crisis. Some individuals feel that the U.S. government should prioritize the needs of its own citizens, including the homeless population, before providing aid to other countries. The debate over how best to handle the situation at the southern border continues as the number of migrant encounters and security threats increase.
While opinions vary among Americans on how to address the immigration crisis, there is a general consensus that the situation at the southern border is a pressing issue that requires attention. President Biden will need to navigate the complexities of the border crisis and determine the best course of action to protect national security and uphold America’s values. The ongoing debate over compliance with Mexico’s demands and the need for stronger action on illegal immigration highlights the challenges facing the Biden administration as it works to address one of the most pressing issues of our time. Ultimately, the resolution of the border crisis will require cooperation and collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico, as well as a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of migration.
