Long-distance duel at the US border: Biden and Trump campaign on migration Further searches after the arrest of an ex-RAF terrorist

US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump tried to score points during the election campaign on the domestically important migration issue with separate appearances at the southern border with Mexico. Trump traveled to Eagle Pass in the state of Texas on Thursday (local time) and accused Biden of a total failure of migration policy. The Republican presidential candidate said it was the Democrat’s fault that the country was being overrun by illegal immigrants. “He is destroying our country.”

Biden, in turn, admitted several hundred miles away, in Brownsville, Texas, that the situation at the border was difficult. However, he accused Trump Republicans of blocking additional border security resources in Congress — and called for bipartisan cooperation.

The problems in the country

The number of people coming to the US illegally has been high for years. During Biden’s term in office, approximately 2.4 million illegal border crossings were recorded two years in a row. Thousands of people come to the US every day, mainly from Central and Latin America, fleeing poverty and conflict in their home countries. Last December, the U.S. Border Patrol reported more than 300,000 apprehensions – more than ever before in a month.

The authorities are under pressure. The legal system can hardly keep up with the processing of asylum applications. There is also a lack of housing and other resources for the newcomers. This is now also noticeable in parts of the country far away from the border – partly because Republican governors from southern states such as Texas are busing migrants from the border to democratically governed parts of the US in protest.

The political debt

The treatment of migrants has been a source of serious political disputes between Democrats and Republicans for years. In the current presidential election campaign, the issue again plays a particularly important role, because it concerns many voters. Republicans accuse Biden of losing control over southern border protection given the large number of migrants.

That was also Trump’s tenor during his visit to the border town of Eagle Pass. The 77-year-old called it a “Joe Biden invasion” and complained that the incumbent was allowing thousands of people into the country, who would then commit crimes in the US. ‘They are pouring into our country and causing enormous problems’ Trump complained. “It’s terrible.” The ex-president listed individual cases of brutal crimes committed by immigrants and painted a distorted picture of an America completely taken over by brutal criminals from enemy countries. Border guards must essentially conduct a military operation against illegal immigrants, he said. ‘It’s like a war.

A scene the same day is in stark contrast: Trump stands at the border fence and waves at migrants trying to cross the border. They shout something at him, and Trump turns to the camera and says:

Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has been embroiled in heated political and legal disputes with the federal government for months, also made serious accusations against Biden. The president is responsible for a ‘disaster’ and has put the country in great danger. “Not a week goes by without Americans losing their lives because they are raped or assaulted by someone Biden illegally allowed into our country.” the hardliner and Trump supporter claimed.

Biden’s approach

The presidential elections in November will result in a new duel between Biden and Trump. During his time in office, Trump was particularly tough on migrants and made sealing the southern border a priority. Before his possible comeback, the Republican promises that he wants to take strict action again and, among other things, deport people from the US on a large scale.

Biden, in turn, initiated a change of course upon taking office in 2021 and relaxed many rules. At the time, his government issued the following message to migrants: “Don’t come now – let’s fix the broken system first.” But the system was not repaired and the migrants came anyway. The major change towards a functioning immigration policy failed to materialize.

Biden blamed Republicans in Congress for this. During his visit to the border he complained:

Parts of the Republican Party have also derailed a recent deal between a group of Democrats and Republicans to better equip the U.S. Border Patrol. “It’s time to act”, the 81-year-old warned. “We have to do more.”

Biden’s outstretched hand — and a memory

The Democrat, who wants to run for a second term in the presidential elections in November, called for compromise and bipartisanship. Addressing Trump, Biden said:

The mayor of the border town of Brownville, John Cowen, welcomed the president warmly, but also issued a warning message. “We’re all overworked and understaffed here,” he said.

All border towns need more help. “We can’t afford to wait.” (saw/sda/dpa)