As California’s southern border remains overwhelmed by illegal immigrants, the federal government has been transporting these individuals out of state instead of releasing them onto the streets to avoid negative optics just weeks before the November election. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond revealed that around 155,000 migrants were released in San Diego between September 2023 and June, with the fear of mass releases resuming last week. Currently, migrants are being bussed to Yuma, Arizona, and flown to McAllen, Texas, to alleviate pressure on San Diego’s resources. The federal government’s decision to transport migrants out of the area is seen as a political move to avoid backlash before the election.
Migrants were previously mass released onto the streets of San Diego, leading to overwhelming pressures on the services and resources available in the county. In addition to migrants crossing the border by foot, some arrive by boats on the shore, making San Diego a popular crossing point due to its proximity to Tijuana, Mexico. Despite the high number of apprehensions and encounters reported in the San Diego Sector, Supervisor Desmond noted that the crossings are becoming more clandestine and obscured. He highlighted criticism faced by other Republican governors like Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott for flying migrants out of their states and urged for a more balanced immigration system in the country.
The Border Patrol has been busing and flying some migrants from San Diego to other cities along the southern border for processing, marking a change from the previous practice of sending migrants to San Diego. The Biden administration has faced severe criticism for its border policies, with President Biden taking executive action in June to limit new entries into the United States. While there was a significant drop in encounters following this action, Biden emphasized the need for Congress to pass a bipartisan border bill. Vice President Kamala Harris has also faced scrutiny for the administration’s handling of the border crisis.
In a recent interview, Harris highlighted the 2021 immigration bill that aimed to provide a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants and fix the immigration system. Supervisor Desmond emphasized the necessity of vetting immigrants regardless of political affiliation, noting that even Democrats are perplexed by the current immigration situation. As a group of around 2,000 migrants left Mexico’s southern border to reach the United States over the weekend, the need for comprehensive immigration reform and checks and balances within the system remains a pressing issue for both parties.
Overall, the situation at California’s southern border remains complex and overwhelmed, with the federal government’s decision to transport migrants out of state seen as a strategic move to avoid political backlash. Supervisor Desmond and others have highlighted the need for a balanced immigration system that prioritizes vetting procedures for all migrants. Amid ongoing criticism of the Biden administration’s border policies, the debate around immigration reform and checks and balances within the system continues. As migrants continue to make their way towards the U.S. border, the issue of immigration remains a key concern for politicians and policymakers.
