US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, along with other top American officials, met with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Wednesday to address the escalating migration crisis at the southern U.S. border. This high-level discussion comes at a critical juncture, with record-breaking numbers of illegal border crossings and mounting pressure on President Biden to manage a situation that has become a significant political challenge.
The Biden administration is keenly focused on this issue as it aligns with several of the President’s key priorities leading into the 2024 election cycle. The situation has gained particular attention as Republicans in Congress link immigration policy reforms to their support for wartime aid to Ukraine and Israel.
In a statement, Secretary Blinken emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to collaborating with Mexico on shared challenges, including managing the surge in irregular migration, reopening key ports of entry, and combating the trafficking of illicit substances like fentanyl.
The recent influx of migrants has led to the temporary closure of several railway crossings in Texas and the Lukeville port of entry in Arizona, disrupting business and necessitating a reallocation of border personnel. Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Alicia Bárcena Ibarra highlighted the urgency of reopening these crossings.
Mexico has been instrumental in U.S. efforts to control migration, as people from various countries have traversed through Mexico to reach the U.S. border. The U.S. Border Patrol has reported encounters with over 10,000 individuals per day attempting to cross the border in recent weeks.
President López Obrador has called for more U.S. support for Latin America, advocating for development investments over physical barriers like walls. He also anticipates that migration will become a prominent issue in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, especially with former President Donald Trump, known for his stringent immigration policies, as a potential Republican candidate.
The meeting, which also included U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall, comes as Mexico faces its challenges in managing migration. Earlier this month, Mexico suspended migrant deportations due to funding issues. During the Trump administration, Mexico had cooperated with the U.S. under the “Remain in Mexico” policy and agreed to accept migrants under Title 42.
President Biden has faced difficulties in reducing migrant numbers, despite implementing restrictions on asylum access and deporting migrants to countries like Venezuela and Cuba. He has expressed willingness to compromise with Republicans on border issues in exchange for support for Ukraine and Israel.
The challenges of managing migration are underscored by the formation of migrant caravans, like the recent one in Chiapas, which initially included around 5,000 people from various countries. The U.N. refugee agency reported that this caravan is dispersing but still consists of over 2,000 individuals.
As the U.S. grapples with this issue, Republicans have intensified their criticism of President Biden’s border policies. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has authorized state law enforcement to arrest unauthorized migrants, a move that has been legally challenged. The Biden administration is also facing pressure from Democratic city mayors due to the influx of migrants.
In response to the escalating situation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced over 190,000 apprehensions in November and the removal or return of more than 400,000 individuals since May. The agency’s acting leader, Troy Miller, has called for additional resources from Congress to enhance border security and national security.
