In recent weeks, the number of border crossings along the entire U.S. border has seen a decline, including areas without heavy security presence. One particular location that has experienced a decrease in crossings is Eagle Pass, Texas, where Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been locked in a power struggle with the Biden administration over immigration enforcement.
Kyle Willis, a 23-year-old Jamaican, recently found himself unable to cross the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass. Willis, who left Jamaica due to attacks and discrimination based on his sexuality, spent hours trying to persuade Texas National Guard soldiers behind razor wire fences to let him through. He ultimately waded back across the river, finding temporary refuge at a shelter in Piedras Negras, Mexico.
Willis's experience reflects the challenges faced by migrants attempting to enter the U.S. despite the various obstacles in their path. While his unsuccessful attempt may be seen as a victory for Abbott, who has garnered support from several other Republican governors in his standoff with the Biden administration, the decline in crossings is not solely due to enhanced border security. Heightened enforcement efforts by Mexican authorities and the shifting strategies of migrants have also contributed to this trend.
Elsewhere along the border, the Tucson sector in Arizona, known as the busiest Border Patrol area, has seen a decrease in apprehensions as well. According to John Modlin, the sector chief, arrests have dropped 29% from a peak of 19,400 in December 2021 to 13,800 in the week preceding Friday.
In a recent call with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, President Joe Biden expressed his appreciation for Mexico's operational support and efforts to deter irregular migration. However, the Mexican immigration agency announced on Sunday that they had rescued 71 immigrants, including 22 minors, who were stranded in sand bars of the Rio Grande between Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras. Tragically, the rescue team also discovered three corpses, believed to be migrants who did not survive their attempts to cross to the U.S.
The issue of immigration remains a significant concern for voters, particularly with the 2024 election on the horizon. President Biden, who initially promised a more humane approach to immigration compared to his predecessor, is now urging Congress to enact asylum restrictions. This shift in stance echoes former President Donald Trump's rhetoric and highlights the complexity of addressing the immigration issue effectively.
The arrival of several Republican governors in Eagle Pass further emphasizes the political nature of the border crisis. Over the weekend, the small border city became the site of a 'Take Back Our Border' rally where protesters voiced their opposition to Biden's immigration policies. With vendors selling Donald Trump-inspired merchandise, the rally drew attention to the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement.
Despite the heightened security measures in Eagle Pass, the number of daily crossings has decreased to a few hundred. Mexico has taken steps to strengthen its immigration efforts, including the establishment of additional checkpoints and the deportation of some Venezuelan migrants. However, for individuals like Melissa Ruiz, a Honduran mother fleeing gang violence back home, the main deterrent remains the treacherous river and its increased flow after recent rainfall. Tragically, drownings in the Rio Grande are all too common.
As the situation at the border continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration and the respective state authorities will address the complex issue of immigration enforcement. The decline in crossings is a temporary respite, but it underscores the ongoing challenges faced by migrants and the political pressures surrounding this contentious topic.
