October 24, 2024
During a CNN town hall with Anderson Cooper, Vice President Kamala Harris faced tough questions on the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S. southern border crisis. When pressed on whether she thought the administration had done enough earlier to reduce asylum applications so that the migrants wouldn’t outstrip the government, Harris justified their actions: “I think we did the right thing.” She also said she hopes for bipartisan immigration reform in Congress because it’s the “best thing” going forward.
Negative Consequences of Open Border Policies
While Harris remained steadfast in her defense of the administration’s immigration stance, the consequences of the wide-open border policy have been dire. As the Biden administration reversed key border security policy, violent crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking has spiked in the U.S. — especially at the southern border.
Most concerning of all, there are the violence gangs of Venezuela. Several sources report that there is a flood of criminal migrants, including some from Venezuela’s underground gangs, who have found a way across the country’s loose border security to the southern border of the United States. Such violent figures loom large in American communities, and the police can barely cope with the increase in crime.
Cartel Drug Smuggling
Mexican cartels’ increased drug smuggling is another catastrophic side effect of the open border. Now that there are fewer limits, cartels have expanded their trade, engulfing US streets with deadly narcotics like fentanyl. Fentanyl overdoses have soared in recent years and border states such as Texas, Arizona and California are raking in the frenzied sludge. Unbridled traffic has also contributed to escalating violence as cartels vie for smuggling lanes.
Child Sex Trafficking
Perhaps the most tragic outcome of the border crisis is the spike in child sex trafficking. The U.S. has become a primary destination for trafficking victims, with many children being smuggled across the border by human traffickers who take advantage of the overwhelmed system. These children are often sold into modern-day slavery or exploited for profit by criminal organizations. The Biden administration’s policies, which have unintentionally facilitated easier entry for traffickers, have sparked outrage from human rights advocates and immigration reform critics alike.
Over 320,000 Migrant Children Missing
A concerning statistic was highlighted in recent discussions, where it was claimed that the Biden administration has “lost” over 320,000 unaccompanied migrant children. These children, who crossed the southern border without guardians, have reportedly fallen off the radar of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While immigration experts argue that the claims lack significant context, the sheer number of unaccounted-for minors raises serious questions about the administration’s ability to track and protect vulnerable migrants. Many fear these children are at risk of exploitation by criminal organizations or human traffickers. This issue has fueled criticism of the current border policies and the administration’s handling of the migrant crisis.
Bipartisan Solutions Needed
While Harris emphasized the need for Congress to take bipartisan action on immigration reform, critics argue that the Biden administration’s current policies have exacerbated the problem. The combination of a porous border and limited enforcement has led to one of the worst border crises in recent U.S. history, leaving millions of Americans concerned about their safety and the future of the nation’s immigration system.
The town hall discussion demonstrated how divided the opinion was on the best course of action to respond to the border crisis, many suggesting a return to greater enforcement. Whether Harris and the administration can win across party lines for reform is anyone’s guess, but the ramifications of the present open-border policy remain severe.
Sources:
