Fact Check: "Joe Biden opened the southern border"
What We Know
The claim that "Joe Biden opened the southern border" is a simplification of a complex issue surrounding U.S. immigration policy. Since taking office in January 2021, President Biden's administration has implemented several changes to immigration policies that differ significantly from those of the previous administration. For instance, Biden has reversed many of the Trump-era restrictions, which has led to an increase in encounters at the southern border. In February 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported encounters with 100,441 illegal immigrants at the Southwest border, marking a 28% increase from January 2021 (source-1).
Moreover, a report from the House Subcommittee on National Security indicates that the Biden administration has released over 75% of illegal aliens encountered during removal proceedings, which critics argue has contributed to a perception of a "wide-open" border (source-2). This policy shift has been described as a "catch and release" operation, which some lawmakers claim has exacerbated the border crisis (source-2).
Analysis
The assertion that Biden "opened" the border is misleading. While it is true that his administration has adopted more lenient immigration policies compared to his predecessor, this does not equate to a literal opening of the border. The Biden administration has faced significant challenges, including a surge in migrants from Central America and other regions, which has strained the existing immigration system.
Critics of Biden's policies, including members of Congress, argue that the administration's approach has led to increased illegal crossings and has overwhelmed U.S. immigration law (source-2). However, proponents of Biden's policies argue that the root causes of migration, such as violence and poverty in home countries, are more significant factors driving the increase in border crossings (source-8).
Additionally, the Biden administration has taken steps to address the situation, including plans to shut down the border if illegal crossings exceed certain thresholds (source-3). This indicates that while there may be a perception of a more open border, the administration is actively managing immigration challenges.
Conclusion
The claim that "Joe Biden opened the southern border" is Partially True. While the Biden administration has implemented policies that are more lenient than those of the previous administration, it is inaccurate to state that the border is "open" in a literal sense. The complexities of immigration policy, the ongoing challenges at the border, and the various factors influencing migration must be considered for a more accurate understanding of the situation.
Sources
- Biden’s Border Crisis Timeline - United States House
- Biden Administration's Catch and Release Operation Has ...
- Immigration policy of the Joe Biden administration
- How Joe Biden and Donald Trump's border policies compare
- Key facts about U.S. immigration policies and Biden's ...
- Biden Signs Executive Orders Reversing Trump Immigration Policies
- Biden's Mixed Immigration Legacy: Border Challenges ...
- Biden Didn't Cause the Border Crisis, Part 1: Summary
