Border Wars
Critical Analysis
According to the data form the chart above, how many migrant encounters occurred at the U.S.-Mexico border in July 2021?
The number of monthly encounters had fallen to 16,182 in April 2020, shortly after the coronavirus outbreak forced the closure of the southwestern border and slowed migration across much of the world. Describe the trend in border apprehensions since April 2020.
What do you think best accounts for that trend?
The main federal agency enforcing border policy is U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) which has a budget for fiscal year 2021 (FY21) of over $18 billion (see chart below). Describe one way that Congress can try to control CBP.
The current secretary of homeland security is Alejandro Mayorkas, the first Latino and immigrant to lead the Department of Homeland Security. CBP is part of the Department of Homeland Security. Troy Miller is the Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In this leadership position, he oversees 60,000 employees, Describe one way that President Biden can try to control CBP.
There was a recent public outcry about border patrol agents on horseback using ropes to subdue Haitian migrants. Describe one way a member of the public can try to control CBP.
According to the statistics in the chart below,* how has the ratio of migrant apprehensions versus migrant expulsions changed over the past year?
When Joe Biden became president his approval rating was about 55%, now his approval has dipped to about 44%. Describe the relationship between Biden’s approval and immigration encounters.
Immigration was a central issue in the 2016 election, and many liberals and conservatives are very divided on immigration policy. How do you think the recent level of border encounters will change Biden’s policy towards immigration.
Our country currently has a worker shortage. Imagine Joe Biden allowed for more legal immigration into the U.S. Make a claim about how a new policy allowing for more legal immigration would impact employment, illegal immigration, and American politics.
Learning Extension
Check out this Pew Report on border encounters.
Action Extension
Contact the White House and let POTUS Biden know what you think about his immigration policy.