The Biden administration has been deflecting blame onto Congress for the ongoing border crisis, a situation worsened by executive-level actions limiting immigration enforcement.

Critics argue that President Joe Biden's executive orders on immigration, signed on his first day in office, have fueled a record surge in illegal immigration along the southern border.

Biden abdicating responsibility for border crisis after creating it from day one, former border officials say https://t.co/lxdimXz0h0

— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) December 23, 2023

The concerns

Former acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad Wolf argues that the administration possesses ample authority to address the crisis without waiting for new legislation from Congress.

While federal authorities at the border grapple with unprecedented levels of illegal immigration, the administration continues to hold Congress responsible for funding border security.

This narrative, according to critics, obscures the fact that the executive actions and policies initiated by President Biden have played a significant role in driving the surge.

The problem

Former acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Mark Morgan emphasizes that the issues with Congress existed during the Trump administration, yet Trump's policies led to an 85% reduction in illegal immigration by February 2020.

Former Chief Patrol Agent Chris Clem argues that the Biden administration could immediately address the chaos by implementing existing programs, such as the Migrant Protection Protocols, which were effective in curbing illegal immigration under the Trump administration.

Critics accuse the administration of "gaslighting" by placing blame on Congress while holding executive-level powers to control border-related policies.

Trump's approach

The Trump administration's approach, which involved significant policy changes, resulted in a notable decline in illegal immigration at the southern border.

Critics argue that Biden's decision to halt deportations for the first 100 days signaled to the world that the border was open, contributing to the current surge. The Biden administration has not responded to requests for comment on these critiques.

Criticism of the Biden administration's handling of the border crisis has intensified, with former officials pointing to specific executive orders signed by President Biden as contributing factors to the surge in illegal immigration.

On his first day in office, Biden signed orders limiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) authorities, effectively changing the landscape of immigration enforcement. These actions, combined with the termination of the border wall construction and a 100-day moratorium on deportations, have been identified as key drivers of the surge.

As the border crisis remains a pressing issue, the debate over the administration's policies and their impact on illegal immigration continues to unfold. The ongoing disagreement underscores the complexity of the immigration issue and its intersection with both executive powers and legislative solutions.