A surge of migrants has been flocking to New York City shelters, a situation yet to be rectified, with numbers presently standing at over 87,000 - more than triple those of the previous year utilising the city's resources. New York's Mayor, Eric Adams, castigated the federal government over the lack of financial support. He used the analogy of a homeowner who, upon the collapse of their roof, expects the insurance to kick in to drive his point home.
He went further to express that the federal government, in their case, should be that 'insurance', as they are not meeting the obligations towards their 'home', New York City. He is preparing for significant budget cuts in 2024 to attempt to cover the cost of the crisis, which could potentially impact sectors such as schools, the police department among others.
In the southern parts, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol has closed off a significant access point for migrants and smugglers entering the United States. Operations at two international railway bridges in Texas have been suspended, and workers deployed to handle the surge at the busy entry ports. The decision was made soon after a video showing thousands of migrants on a train hours south of Eagle Pass, Texas made its rounds on social media.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden's slipping popularity, now at 47%, has caused a stir among Democrats. The current polls seem to signify a preliminary referendum on Biden's presidency. However, the sentiment around these polls is that they capture only the present moment and not necessarily the future electoral outcomes.
With the elections about 11 months away, voters will face a choice between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. It will be a decision potentially swayed by a massive advertising campaign highlighting Trump's failures during his previous term and the catastrophic consequences of his possible return to office. As such, many suggest that the polls of today may not reflect the actual vote come election day.
