President Joe Biden visited the U.S.-Mexico border for the second time in history on Thursday, visiting one of the state's most backward areas and criticizing Congress for failing to pass border initiatives while also mentioning climate change. criticized.
Biden visited on Thursday, the same day former President Donald Trump visited Eagle Pass, Texas, and met with Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. The President visited Brownsville, Texas. encounter One of the fewest illegal immigrants in the state. As Biden faces backlash for his handling of the border crisis, he opened by discussing climate change related to wildfires burning through parts of Texas and Oklahoma.
“Since I've been president, I've flown over these wildfires many times. In fact, I've flown helicopters in the West, the Southwest, the Northwest,” Biden began. “I've flown over land that has burned down more land than the square feet of the entire state of Maryland and has lost all its vegetation. The idea that climate change doesn't exist, I love that guy. I love my Neanderthal friends who still believe climate change does not exist.”
“My administration will continue the progress we have made in combating the climate crisis and helping people get back on their feet in the wake of these disasters,” Biden continued.
In Eagle Pass, Texas, where President Trump visited, Customs and Border Protection CBP recorded about 169,000 arrests in the first four months of fiscal year 2024, Axios reported. This figure is compared to Brownsville, Texas, where 76,000 arrests were recorded.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed criticism at a press conference Wednesday that Biden has not visited particularly active areas of the southern border.
“This administration has often criticized Republicans for publicity stunts and photo ops when they go to the border and hold similar press conferences. So how is this different?” Reporter Jean Pierre asked.
“Oh, not at all. There's nothing House Republicans have done, nothing at all. On the contrary, they're constantly getting in the way of what the president is trying to do to get more resources. ,” the spokesperson said.
“They're turning this into a political stunt by listening to Donald Trump and saying we have to kill this. This is what they're doing. “Now that we've got it together, I've told my team to go to work. We're working with Republican and Democratic senators to pass the bill.” Jean-Pierre continued.
Brownsville also lacks razor wire, a point of tension between the Biden and Abbott administrations, Axios reported. The Supreme Court, in decisions Jan. 5 and 4, will allow the Border Patrol to cut razor wire installed after Texas officials sued for cutting part of the border. The Biden administration's request was approved. (Related article: Stupid remarks against John Kirby: Why is Biden 'making it easier for people to enter the country illegally?')
After the number of encounters with migrants hit a record high in December 2023, Biden admitted he does not believe the border is safe. Border Patrol recorded more than 176,000 migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border in January, the highest compared to historical data for the same month in other years. according to to federal data.
More than 2.2 million illegal immigrants were encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border during fiscal year 2022, according to federal data. In fiscal year 2023, more than 2 million people were encountered at the southern border. according to to federal data.
Meanwhile, Congress continues to debate additional funding policies introduced by Biden days after Hamas launched terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7th. The package will send aid to Ukraine, Israel and countries facing border crises. But Congressional leaders continue to debate how to approach the border.
“The U.S. Senate needs to reconsider this bill, and senators who oppose the bill should put politics aside and base it on its merits, not whether it benefits one party or the other. The question is, does it benefit the American people?'' Biden said in remarks Thursday.
“That's what the American people deserve. The Speaker of the House needs to put these on the floor, because if you put this on the floor indefinitely, it will pass. Someone should come up and say, 'Don't do that.' Until then, a majority of Democrats and Republicans in both chambers supported the bill. That will benefit the incumbent,” Biden continued, referring to Trump. (Related: Biden says 'the only reason' border is not secure is because Donald Trump helped repeal immigration bill)
The president's border policies have recently come under fire following the death of Laken Riley, a University of Georgia student who was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant during a morning run. Jean-Pierre expressed the White House's “deepest condolences” to Riley's family at a press conference Wednesday. The spokesperson added that he could not read anything about the president's conversations with Riley's family.
President Trump cited Riley's death during a border visit and slammed Biden for not publicly discussing the situation.former president I got it. He said he spoke with Riley's family before going on the trip.
“Joe Biden will never say Laken Riley's name, but we will. And we will remember. We are not going to forget about her,” President Trump said at the border. spoke during a trip.
“Let's remember who we are. We are the United States of America. No, I mean, think about this: Nothing is beyond our ability. Nothing is beyond our ability. If we work together,” Biden concluded.
