Biden’s Third Biggest Immediate Issue

There is no question that dealing with civil rights, biases and prejudices that taint our nation, is critical. Facing the rise of domestic terrorism is also an existential issue. But in terms of “big issues that require massive and immediate attention,” there are three huge “can’t wait” matters facing Joe Biden. First: defeating COVID. Second: Economic recovery. Third: Immigration at our southern border. I suspect the GOP is slowly coming to the realization that issues one and two are likely to continue to favor Biden’s widely popular approach. To under-promise and over-deliver. Less than two-thirds into his first 100 days, he has already delivered 100 million American residents receiving vaccine shots. His $1.9 trillion recovery is the best he can do for item two. Very well accepted. 

So, the post-Trump explosion of wannabe migrants at the US/Mexico border seems to be the only immediate mega-challenge where Republicans sense vulnerability. It is a way for the GOP to embrace white supremacy without making overtly racists comments, although a number Republican congressmen and women seem unable to refrain from crossing that line. It is a position that is equally consistent with the 253 legislative initiatives in 43 states to shove people of color out of the voting process. And while it is the result of years of Trumps inhuman and illegal policies, frequently successfully challenged in the courts, it’s on Joe Biden’s watch now.

Anthony Zurcher, writing for the March 19th BBC.com, observes: “For Biden, however, it comes at a moment when he would prefer to focus elsewhere… Politics doesn't care what politicians would prefer, however. The immigration situation has the potential to derail Biden's other best-laid plans, as he is squeezed by criticism from Republican foes and some within his own party…

“Speaking to reporters in the White House briefing room on Monday [3/15], press secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged that the current situation on the US-Mexico border has become a ‘big problem’… The overall number of undocumented migrants encountered on the US border is higher than at the same point in any of the previous three years - and growing at a faster pace toward the traditional peak entry time in late spring.” As Biden and his team cross the US touting their recovery package, Republican officials head to the Mexican border to tout the obvious immigration system failure. 

It’s a hot political football, with each side exchanging nasty volleys: “Psaki also pointed her finger squarely at Trump… ‘The last administration left us a dismantled and unworkable system, and like any other problem, we are going to do everything we can to solve it. So our focus here is on solutions… The president's very focused on expediting what's happening at the border at every step in the process.’.. Blaming the previous guy for a current problem is an age-old political manoeuvre - and it's one that tends to have a limited shelf life. If the situation on the border doesn't improve, the "big problem" will be squarely in Biden's lap…

“The president's political adversaries on the right appear to be relishing the chance to use the situation on the border to their advantage… ‘The sad part about that is this didn't have to happen,’ [GOP] House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said at a press event in Texas. ‘This crisis is created by the presidential policies of this new administration.’

“After Democrats attacked Trump for ‘children in cages’ - a result of his family separation policy - Republicans are returning the favour, accusing Biden of implementing policies that put unaccompanied minors in similarly harsh situations… Immigration and border security were the lynchpin of Donald Trump's successful presidential bid in 2016, and some Republicans may see it as a pathway back to power in future elections, including the 2022 mid-term congressional elections. The former president himself has joined in the chorus, although he glossed over the fact that recent immigration trends began when he was still president.” Zurcher. 

Testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee, HS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas made it clear that while the border issues were clearly much bigger than expected, return to Trumpian solutions was not in the cards, saying: “Sometimes, the tools of deterrence defy values and principles for which we all stand. And one of those tools of deterrence that the Trump administration employed was deplorable and absolutely unacceptable.” Democratic moderates supported greater patience, while those in the progressive wing of the Party expressed a different tone.

“Biden's more liberal supporters have grown restless over the Trump-era policies and provisions that have yet to be rolled back by the new administration… For now, the US border with Mexico remains largely closed. And while unaccompanied children have been permitted entry into the US, most others have been turned away - and their asylum requests delayed. While the Trump-era ban on entry from certain majority Muslim nations has been lifted, the visa-approval process for foreign workers is still suspended because of Covid restrictions, and temporary visas for students are facing significant backlogs… 

“‘The longer we sort of slow-walk that restoration of normalcy and how we would address the issues at the border with migrants - whether they're adults or children - the [worse] the problem gets,’ Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota - herself a former refugee - told Politico this week… ‘Once we think of the humans at the border as humans ... we will have policies that are just, humane, and give them dignity.’" Zurcher. Two smaller immigration bills, each setting out a path to full citizenship just passed the House – one for DACA children (“Dreamers”) and another for farmworkers – and face a skeptical Senate. Republicans know that immigration galvanized the Trump’s base in 2016 and thereafter. They are fully prepared to pour sacks of salt into that gaping wound… and will do what they can to use that issue to undermine the entire Biden administration’s efforts. OK, Joe, your turn.

I’m Peter Dekom, and this hot button will need to be cooled off by the Democrats in power, knowing the Republicans are not going to lift a finger to help.