Rising Tide Of Migrant Families Fuels Ongoing Border Crisis
The nation’s southern border has recently seen a staggering increase in the influx of migrant families with children crossing over, with figures nearly tripling in the past two months. An average of 2,230 migrants crossed the border daily this week, a significant leap from June’s daily average of 790. Notably, families constitute the fastest-growing segment of unauthorized border crossers.
Conservative leaders and analysts point out that the current Biden administration policies do not detain families with children and encourage migrants to bring minors on the dangerous journey. By doing so, migrants significantly increase their chances of being allowed to seek asylum.
This trend has prompted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement new regulations. Newly arrived migrant families in four U.S. cities are now subjected to curfews, with heads of households required to wear ankle monitors until their immigration court appearances. However, critics argue this approach is a mere bandage slapped on a more significant issue.
A major concern raised by this surge of migrants is national security. An alarming incident recently brought this to light. In a heavily redacted report by the DHS’s independent Office of Inspector General, it was revealed that a migrant, who was initially flagged as a suspected terrorist, was prematurely released due to Border Patrol agents being overwhelmed by the large influx of migrants.
In a stark illustration of the sheer volume of individuals crossing, Border Patrol officers failed to confirm the suspected terrorist’s status before releasing him into the U.S. interior. Only after two weeks and a series of administrative blunders was the individual tracked down and arrested in Tampa.
The takeaway from this incident underscores an undeniable reality – the surge in border crossing, fueled by the administration’s current policies, is overwhelming the resources at the border. As DHS officials grapple with the escalating situation, it is clear that more stringent and efficient measures are needed to safeguard national security.
Notably, critics have highlighted the discontinuation of the Trump administration’s border wall construction as a contributing factor to the present crisis. The surging numbers coincide with increased crossings at unfinished sections of the wall, areas that have effectively become gateways for those seeking unauthorized entry into the U.S.