The Biden administration has made a U-turn on its immigration policy, admitting that it is necessary to restart construction of the border wall with Mexico, despite its campaign promises not to build “another meter.” This decision comes amid the growing immigration crisis at the southern border of the United States.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas quietly announced that a 20-mile-long wall would be built in the Rio Grande Valley in southeast Texas. According to Mayorkas, this measure responds to the “urgent and immediate need to erect physical barriers” to prevent people from entering the country illegally.
This decision represents a significant shift in the position of Biden, who promised during the 2020 campaign that no more wall would be built during his term. Even after taking office in 2021, he called construction of the wall a “waste of money” and claimed it was ineffective in curbing illegal immigration.
The announcement to restart construction of the wall came under extraordinary circumstances as it involved waiving 26 federal laws, including the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Air Act, to speed up the process.
Mayorkas noted that the Rio Grande Valley is a high illegal entry area, with more than 245,000 attempted illegal crossings recorded in fiscal year 2023. This surge in migration has led governors and local leaders to express concern about cities’ ability to address this crisis. They accuse the Biden administration of failing to take effective action at the federal level.
The decision to restart construction of the wall has provoked mixed reactions from politicians. While some Democratic leaders have pressured Biden to take tougher immigration measures, some Republicans believe this measure comes too late and will not be enough to stop the flow of illegal immigrants.
On Thursday, Biden argued that he had no control over building the wall because of Congress’s 2019 appropriation. Despite his change in position, the president appeared to have limited ability to stop construction.
This action will be implemented in six planned segments between Salineño and Rio Grande City in Starr County, Texas, contributing to the more than 2.2 million apprehensions recorded by Customs and Border Protection in fiscal year 2023.
The decision to restart border wall construction reflects growing pressure on the Biden administration to address the migration crisis at the United States’ southern border. The situation remains a hot political issue, generating conflicting opinions in American society.
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