The president promised more resources to solve the border crisis.
President of the United States Joe Biden has visited the country’s southern border for the first time during his presidency. The visit took place in El Paso, Texas, where the border crossing into Mexico has been at the center of heated debate regarding illegal immigration and smuggling.
During his visit, Biden got to know the work of the customs and immigration authorities. He met with the customs and immigration authorities in the building complex separating the countries, where entry checks are carried out. Officials, including customs dog handlers, presented the president with the latest technology used in border control. The president also got to know the border fence that runs between El Paso and its neighboring city of Juarez, Mexico.
– They need a lot of resources. We are going to get them for them, the president commented on what he saw to reporters.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas previously told reporters that Biden was also scheduled to meet with migrant assistance agencies such as humanitarian and religious organizations that “help migrants fleeing oppression and poverty.”
After the border visit, the president’s trip continues to Mexico, where the leaders of Mexico and Canada will also gather. The meeting organized on Monday and Tuesday is intended to discuss, among other things, the immigration situation in the region.
The president is trying to address the criticism he faces
Biden has faced a lot of criticism regarding immigration policy. His visit to the border has been seen as a response, especially to accusations by Republicans that the president is trying to avoid a difficult situation.
– Our border communities represent our nation’s best hospitality, and we plan to give them more support while expanding legal pathways for proper immigration and limiting illegal immigration, Biden tweeted on his way to Texas.
The US economy relies heavily on immigrant labor, but uncontrolled immigration on the country’s southern border has strained the immigration system so much that it will not be easy to fix. Officials from Biden’s own administration have also described the immigration system as broken.
There have been large numbers of asylum seekers at the southern border, and in addition, numerous people have tried to enter the country illegally, traveling through sometimes dangerous terrain.