Border Crisis Explained

If you pay attention to the news, you have probably heard repeated mentions of a border crisis. What is going on at the southern border with Mexico? Why is it a crisis, and what is being done to solve it? Today I’m going to explain the border crisis.

What Is Going On At the Southern Border?

The United States shares large borders with our neighbors to the north and south. Neither border is militarized, but there are checkpoints. This helps us know who is entering and exiting the country.

For decades, migrants have come to the US from our southern border with Mexico. While some seek asylum at official checkpoints, others cross at unwatched locations and enter the country illegally.

There are multiple reasons migrants come to the US at the southern border. Some are simply seeking better economic opportunities. Others are seeking refuge from terrible conditions in their home countries. The US is well known as a land of opportunity.

In recent years, the flow of migrants has turned into a surge. After a slowdown during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, record numbers of migrants and now arriving at our southern border. The numbers are too much for border patrol to handle. The surge in migration has led to critics calling it an invasion.

What Is Being Done About The Border Crisis?

Contrary to popular belief, the federal government has attempted to relieve the crisis at the border. Unfortunately, their efforts have been woefully inadequate.

In general, Republicans want heavy restrictions on the flow of migrants into the country, and Democrats want fewer restrictions. However, even Democrats acknowledge that migration has become a problem and are seeking ways to limit it. The issue has become one of the most contentious in American politics.

At this moment, legislation is being debated in the US Senate to help alleviate the border crisis. Senate Republicans and Democrats appeared to be close to a deal. But partisan politics have thrown a wrench in the gears, and a possible solution appears to be fading.

The first problem in solving the crisis is hardline Republicans in the House of Representatives. They have taken an all-or-nothing approach, wanting their own preferred legislation to be the only solution they will accept. This intransigent attitude has led to problems in the past, such as government shutdowns and a near default on our debt.

The second issue is Donald Trump. The Republican presidential contender has been pushing Republicans in Congress to kill any border deal. Mr. Trump wants to run on the border crisis, and a deal with Democrats would weaken this as a potential issue for him. He remains a powerful and influential figure in the Republican Party, and his opposition could sink the deal.

How To Solve The Border Crisis?

The first step to solving any problem is to figure out what is causing it. Migrants from Central and South America want to come to the US because the situations in their own countries are not optimal. As the dominant power in the region, the US needs to do more to ensure stability in its own backyard.

I do not believe the US should step back in its position as world leader and ignore the situations in Ukraine or Israel. But I do believe we need to pay more attention to our neighbors closer to home. The US has neglected the Americas for too long.

If the situation in our neighboring countries improves, the flow of migrants will slow. This doesn’t mean we have to spend more taxpayer dollars on shipments of cash to the South. We can improve the situation through trade deals, logistical support, advisement, and in other areas.

It’s important to remember that despite the rhetoric, this is not an invasion. This is a flood of people who are coming to our great country in search of a better life for themselves and their families. Acknowledging that fact will go a long way in finding potential solutions.

Border Security

While working on the problem at the source is the most important step, we do have to improve our security at the border. We can not solve all of the problems in the South. Migrants are going to continue to come in some numbers, and we have to be prepared to deal with the issue.

A border wall across the entire southern border is a silly idea in a world where ladders and tunnels exist. An unwatched portion of wall does nothing but waste our money. But fencing and walls in strategically placed areas would be a big help to border patrol.

We do need more funding for border patrol, including more agents, more monitoring technology, and more facilities.

Make no mistake, undocumented entry into the country is a threat. It is critically important for us to know who is entering our borders. But it is also important to view migrants as fellow human beings and not invaders from another planet. Viewing the situation through the correct lens will go a long way toward solving the problem.