American Opinion: 2 Myths and Truths About the U.S.-Mexico Border – West Central Tribune

The myth, or rather convenient lie, that some politicians continue to circulate about the U.S.-Mexico border has resulted in another disappointing Congressional session for immigration reform.

Tribune Graphic / Forum News Service

Instead of crafting much-needed solutions to address the fate of young immigrant “dreamers,” backlogged cases in immigration courts, or the myriad problems posed by outdated immigration laws, policymakers have mostly of time arguing over the official title, Title 42. Health orders invoked during the COVID-19 pandemic to control border crossings.

Disinformation prevents policymakers from having honest discussions and enacting sensible solutions. The complex US-Mexico border region is a confluence of cultural, social and economic communities whose problems require sophisticated solutions that cannot be easily summed up in words. Still, many people continue to spread misconceptions about the border, sending immigrants to the home of Vice President Kamala Harris, or building a useless wall of shipping containers like the governor of Arizona did. I am engaged in theatrical performances.

Debates over immigration and border controls could heat up in early 2023, when Republicans take control of the House. While little is expected of significant legislation being passed in a divided parliament, the constant arrival of migrants at the border is sure to keep the topic in the news. It’s important to look beyond the jarring information, so we’re fact-checking misconceptions about the U.S.-Mexico border that you’re likely to hear in the coming months.

Miss the images of hundreds of migrants waiting along the Rio Grande River in Texas in recent weeks, hoping to apply for asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border if the court lifts Title 42 border restrictions. I can not do it. The mayor of El Paso declared a state of emergency in mid-December to secure more federal and state funding to deal with hundreds of immigrants sleeping on the streets.

Title 42 is the Public Health Act of 1944 that allows U.S. officials to quarantine or deny entry to people traveling from areas afflicted by epidemics, and the Trump and Biden administrations have banned immigrants from en masse at the border. has been used to banish to

The Trump administration has used the COVID-19 threat as a justification, but Republicans have repeatedly prevented the Biden administration from ending its use once the pandemic has passed. Two weeks ago, 14 states asked the Supreme Court to keep border restrictions in place, arguing that the termination of Title 42 would cause irreparable harm to immigrant-hosting states. On Dec. 27, a judge ordered the limit to remain in place until next year’s ruling. Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee tried to block the $1.7 trillion appropriations bill unless it included an amendment that would bar the Biden administration from ending Title 42.

But Title 42 does nothing to help manage borders and actually makes things worse. It encourages repeated immigration crossings, as those displaced only try to cross again. It also facilitates criminal activity by traffickers, as migrants hire smugglers to cross the border instead of going to border authorities.

The real solution is to create an orderly and humane way of processing asylum claims by expanding the capacity and funding of border authorities, including adding more immigration officers.

The U.S. government distributes few welcome mats for immigrants at the border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection employs approximately 26,000 border agents and uses technology such as drones, thermal imagers and sensors that detect heat and motion to guard the approximately 2,000 miles of U.S.-Mexico border. doing.

Some 700 miles of walls and fences strengthen the border, but in some areas it is not possible. For example, much of Texas has no border wall due to inhospitable terrain such as floodplains and regions along the Rio Grande. Trump’s promise to build a “big and beautiful wall” was never fully realized. His regime built about 450 miles of walls, much of which replaced existing structures. The Biden administration has halted construction of new borders, but continues to repair and replace old fences, including at San Diego’s Friendship Park.

Border security has been a high-budget priority for legislators for years. The Border Agency’s budget surged from $363 million in 1993 to $16.7 billion in the latest comprehensive bill. The bill also includes his $800 million for local governments such as the city of El Paso to deal with arriving immigrants.

Yes, there is a crisis at the border. But this is a humanitarian crisis, not the “invasion” conservative politicians call the arrival of hundreds of migrants. A combination of factors such as civil war, climate change, and political instability (due in part to U.S. policies) are forcing millions of people around the world to leave their homes in search of employment and security.

The number of migrants moving internationally has returned to pre-pandemic levels. The number of arrests by border agents continues to reach new highs, according to figures released by the Border Patrol on Friday. But immigrants rejected by Title 42 come back again and again, often with repeated crossings.

The humanitarian crisis requires politicians to do their job humanely to secure the southern border. It might be possible if politicians perpetuated facts rather than harmful myths.