Staff Reports
The latest report from the Biden administration reveals a staggering count of more than 2.9 million illegal entries into the United States over the past year. While this figure is marginally better than last year’s record-breaking numbers, it still highlights an ongoing border crisis that seems to have inspired more eye rolls from conservatives than any genuine sense of improvement. Even if the numbers were allegedly trending better in recent months, it doesn’t seem like anyone’s throwing a border party quite yet.
In an alarming twist, the Border Patrol recorded 106 apprehensions of illegal immigrants whose identities raised red flags on the terrorism watchlist. Ironically, this year is now only the second worst on record, trailing only last year’s notable debacle. So much for increased national security measures under the Biden administration. It appears that while the federal government may be turning a blind eye to illegal entries, the only thing wide open are the borders.
Border improved as Biden adopts Trump-style policieshttps://t.co/Z1rCGIrXBq pic.twitter.com/t1FN05kJBi
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 23, 2024
The statistics do reveal a drop in overall Border Patrol arrests, hitting nearly 1.6 million—though some would say that’s still a staggering figure. Customs and Border Protection officers, on the other hand, have certainly been busy, catching more than 1.3 million others, setting new records. There’s a curious game of numbers being played here; if arrests drop, the question has to be asked: are illegals simply finding new, more creative ways to breach our borders, or is the enforcement just getting lax?
Biden has seemingly tried to handle the situation with a controversial “parole” system designed to slow the tide of illegal crossings. The strategy involves enticing would-be border crossers to pre-schedule their arrivals, under the guise of a catch-and-release promise. It’s almost as if they’re running a low-budget airline that offers not-so-inviting ticket prices. For all the talk of legal finesse, it’s hard to overlook that nothing screams “control” quite like asking people to book ahead before they waltz across the border.
Interestingly, despite the chaos, Biden has taken a page from Trump’s playbook by adopting tougher policies for those who ignore the new parole systems. This might simply add fuel to the fire of debate over whether the political left really has a grasp on border security—not that they seem too eager to admit it. September saw a significant drop in Border Patrol activity, with arrests plunging four-fold compared to December’s peak. One can only wonder if that’s a sign of effective policy or just plain resignation among the border agents.
While the White House spins the narrative of improved border security, conservatives can’t help but chuckle at the irony of it all. One thing is certain: as the numbers fluctuate, the concerns grow, and the only clear solution remains elusive.
