In my recent visit to the southern border, the harsh reality of President Biden's failed immigration policies was starkly evident.
The situation has left Republican mayors of border towns like McAllen and Donna in an untenable position. Forced to fend for themselves due to the Biden administration's blatant disregard for border security, these mayors have had to adapt to an imposed chaotic environment that they neither created nor desired.
The economic boost experienced by these towns, often highlighted by the liberal media as a positive outcome, is in truth a desperate measure in response to the federal government's abandonment. The Mayor of Donna, overseeing an international bridge, and McAllen, benefiting from sales tax revenues from bustling hotels and restaurants, are not exploiting the situation but are trying to mitigate the disastrous consequences of Biden's open border policy.
The mayors of these towns explained that the majority of illegal immigrants are merely passing through; they do not settle in these border towns, and therefore do little to impact the public safety of their residents.
The impact of those crossing is often felt deep into the interior of our country, as Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stated, “Every town is a border town due to the far-reaching effects of illegal immigration.”
This situation is a direct result of President Biden's unconscionable decision to reverse the effective border policies of the Trump administration. His actions have not only fueled a surge in illegal immigration but have also placed an unbearable strain on border communities.
The administration's failure to secure the border has essentially put these towns on the frontline of an invasion, with local leaders left to shoulder the burden.
The mayors of these border towns, despite being Republicans, are in a predicament that illustrates the far-reaching impact of Biden’s negligence. Their struggle is a stark reminder of the Biden administration's failure to uphold its primary duty: to protect American citizens and maintain the sovereignty of our nation.
The economic benefits these towns are witnessing are mere Band-Aids on the gaping wound caused by a porous border.
A briefing I had from the National Border Patrol Union revealed deeper layers of this crisis. The border patrol agents are overwhelmed, not just by the sheer numbers crossing illegally but by the level of organization behind these crossings.
The agents spend hours processing individuals, often families, which allows drugs and potential threats to slip through unnoticed. They expressed grave concerns about the ripple effects of this crisis, including increased agent suicide rates and the potential for another catastrophic event like 9/11 if nefarious elements were to exploit these border vulnerabilities.
This situation is a direct result of President Biden's reversal of strong border policies. The agents made it clear: The problem is solvable, but the current policies are failing them.
They are not equipped to make arrests, functioning more as security guards than law enforcement officers. This, coupled with the economic exploitation by drug cartels and human traffickers, makes a mockery of our national security.
The plight of these border towns should be a wake-up call to all Americans. The Biden administration's failure to secure our southern border is not just a policy failure; it is a betrayal of American communities and values.
We must stand with these Republican mayors and demand that the federal government take immediate action to restore order and security at the border. It’s time to reinstate the strong border policies of the Trump era and put an end to this ongoing crisis that has left our border towns in a state of forced resilience against an issue they should never have had to face alone.
We need to empower our Border Patrol agents with the authority and resources they need to protect our nation effectively. It’s time to confront this crisis head-on and reinstate strong, effective border policies that prioritize the safety of American citizens.
Bianca Gracia is president of the Latinos for Trump/Latinos for America First Organization, Founder and Executive Director of Latinos for America First PAC. She has worked as the Chief Strategist at The America Project, Hispanic Engagement Director of the Republican Party of Texas, and the State Director of Faith and Freedom Coalition. She was the former President of Leaderes de la Comunidad, Americanos Conservative United, director and adviser for Blexit Texas. Gracia has appeared on Fox, "Steve Bannon’s War Room," Newsmax, OAN and can be heard live Monday mornings at 8am on 1440 Keys AM in Corpus Christi, Texas. Read more of her reports — Here.