Migrants continue to enter U.S. territory across the border with Mexico illegally, despite temporary lockdown measures announced by President Joe Biden. Alex Roman, a 31-year-old Colombian, managed to enter the U.S. after walking for days under the scorching sun, even with the new American restrictions while still on the Mexican side. He said, "I invested a lot of money to get here, so why turn back without trying?"
Roman entered the United States by taking advantage of a gap in the border wall leading to the small town of Jacumba Hot Springs in California, where he plans to apply for asylum, like Freddie Sanchez's family. Sanchez, 37, left Guatemala weeks ago in an effort to enter the U.S. and learned about the new American measures the day before his attempted crossing. He recounted, "I thought about it, felt frustrated but at the same time said to myself: with God's help, we will get there. And here we are."
"Nothing has changed"
The executive order issued by Biden allows officials to deal with asylum seekers and migrants when their numbers reach 2,500 daily. Accordingly, authorities will be able to deport migrants who crossed into the U.S. without the required documentation. This number is lower than the daily average recorded since February 2021, according to Adam Isakson, an immigration expert at the Washington Office on Latin America.
Despite the decision coming into effect, there has been no noticeable difference in Jacumba Hot Springs. A Border Patrol agent who spoke on condition of anonymity said, "Nothing has changed." In fact, the day following Biden's announcement was like any other day along the border. Authorities counted about four thousand migrants, according to figures reported by U.S. media.
The number of illegal migrants crossing the nearly three thousand kilometer stretch of border rose to 10,000 daily in December. Although this number has decreased, Republican attacks against Joe Biden on this issue have not lessened in intensity. Former Republican President Donald Trump, who accuses migrants of "poisoning the blood" of the country, has pledged to carry out "the largest deportation operation in the country's history" if elected president again this coming November.
