This week, President Biden announced an executive order aimed at addressing the influx of illegal immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. The order comes after claims by the administration that the border was secure for several years, raising questions about the timing of the announcement ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
The White House stated that the executive order would be triggered when illegal crossings exceed 2,500 a day for seven consecutive days. However, certain exemptions, such as unaccompanied children, raise concerns about potential exploitation by drug cartels. The order is estimated to allow at least 1.8 million illegal migrants into the country annually if fully enforced.
Customs and Border Protection sources revealed encountering over 8 million migrants illegally crossing the border, with nearly 7 million apprehended by Border Patrol. The issue of unapprehended migrants, known as 'gateways,' poses additional challenges in tracking individuals who enter the country undetected.
Meanwhile, concerns about domestic security were highlighted by Dr. Christopher Wray, who warned of the potential for coordinated attacks within the U.S. Inspired by events in the Middle East, the threat of domestic terrorism remains a significant concern for American communities.
In response to the perceived gaps in federal border security, Texas initiated Operation Lone Star in March 2021. The operation has resulted in the apprehension of over half a million illegal immigrants, with thousands of criminal arrests and felony charges. Notably, Texas authorities have seized a substantial amount of fentanyl, a potent opioid contributing to a rise in overdose deaths among young Americans.
