Biden’s Executive Order on Immigration:
A Late and Hypocritical Move
President Biden’s impending executive order on immigration, which seeks to limit asylum claims at the southern border, is simply a hypocritical and politically motivated attempt to address a crisis he exacerbated. This order, expected to be announced on Tuesday, draws from the same legal provisions former President Trump used, specifically Executive Order 212(f). After years of him blaming Trump for the border crisis, Biden’s sudden shift in policy is an insincere ploy to garner votes ahead of the November election.
The Border Crisis Under Biden
Since taking office, President Biden has overseen a dramatic increase in border crossings, largely attributed to his administration’s reversal of Trump-era policies, including allowing Title 42 to expire and ending the effective Remain in Mexico Policy also known as MPP (Migrant Protection Protocol.) Title 42, implemented during the Trump administration, allowed for the rapid expulsion of migrants at the border under public health grounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With its expiration, millions have crossed the border, overwhelming border security and straining resources. And Remain in Mexico, ensured that asylum seekers arriving at the U.S. southern border were required to wait in Mexico while their claims were processed in U.S. immigration courts. This measure aimed to deter illegal border crossings and reduce the burden on the U.S. immigration system.
However, the Biden administration’s lenient approach is the root cause of the current border crisis. The cessation of Title 42 and the “Remain in Mexico” policy further fueled the surge in border crossings . By rolling back these stringent measures without implementing effective alternatives, Biden essentially opened the floodgates, resulting in the current humanitarian and security crisis at the border.
The Executive Order: Too Little, Too Late
Biden’s new executive order, which reportedly aims to partially suspend asylum claims, is seen as a desperate attempt to rectify a self-inflicted problem. This order mirrors the approach of Trump’s use of Executive Order 212(f), which sought to limit entry into the United States for nationals of certain countries. However, Trump’s order faced numerous legal challenges and was criticized for its limited effectiveness. Consequently, Trump shifted to the more enforceable “Remain in Mexico” policy, which saw some success in curbing illegal crossings .
By adopting a similar executive order now, Biden appears to be acknowledging the need for stricter border controls, something he vehemently opposed during his campaign and early presidency. This reversal is not only hypocritical but also comes at a time when its impact will likely be minimal due to the sheer scale of the crisis already at hand. We all see that this move is more about optics than substance, aimed at shoring up support ahead of the upcoming election.
Political Motivations Behind the Order
The timing of this executive order, mere months before the November election, raises questions about its true intent. With public concern over the border crisis at an all-time high, Biden’s administration appears to be scrambling to present a tougher stance on immigration. However, the damage has already been done, and this last-minute policy shift is unlikely to significantly alter the situation on the ground or sway public opinion favorably.
We all see President Biden’s executive order for what it is. His administration dismantled our southern border, let anyone and everyone inside our country, criticized Trump’s border policies, let those policies expire, and now months before the election, he is reimplementing some of them. This is a belated and hypocritical measure. After dismantling effective Trump-era policies and allowing millions to cross the border, Biden’s adoption of a similar approach now smacks of political expediency rather than genuine problem-solving. This move, is a bid to gain voter support before the elections, and it underscores the administration’s failure to manage the border crisis effectively from the outset .
– F.W
Lock Our Border Down
Sources
Biden Executive Order on Immigration Could Arrive on Tuesday
‘Too little, too late’: Why Biden’s border plan doesn’t impress critics
Biden expected to issue executive order by Tuesday to limit asylum rules at border
Biden to Issue Executive Order on Southern Border, Limiting Asylum
Biden expected to sign border measure on Tuesday to curb asylum
Biden prepares a tough executive order that would shut down asylum after 2,500 migrants arrive a day
What is Title 42? What the end of the border policy means for the US
Democrats in tight races support border bill despite past opposition to stricter asylum rules and border wall money
Senate Republicans mobilize to block border bill: ‘This will not pass’
The fine print I have to include for my own protection:
The following text presents the author’s opinions and interpretations of events without intending to cause harm or defame any individuals, organizations, or entities mentioned. While the author has provided sources to support their claims, readers are encouraged to conduct their research and employ critical thinking to form their own conclusions.
