Biden Reverses Border Wall Policy
Photo Via NYPJ
OPHELIA BENTLEY: Turning back on campaign promises, the Biden administration announced plans to continue construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall on Oct. 4, 2023. The move has elicited criticism from immigrant rights groups and environmental activists across the country, who consider the move a betrayal from the administration.
The Biden administration denies responsibility for the development. The funds for the wall were appropriated by Congress in 2019. Now, after failing to convince the legislature to reappropriate the funds, the administration is legally bound to construct the border wall. However, such appropriations did not obligate the administration to waive the 26 environmental and cultural protection laws, which are sure to substantially ease and accelerate the construction process. These waivers will allow construction near the lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge and through fields where the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe collects key materials for religious ceremonies.
Immigration is widely agreed to be one of the Democrats’ weakest major issue areas going into the 2024 election. Many view the president’s move as a strategic bid to gain more support from moderates concerned about border security. However, the mixed messaging coming from the administration has instead signaled weakness. On his part, Biden has repeatedly asserted that border walls are ineffective for stemming immigration. Yet, his Director of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas claimed in an earlier statement, “There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States.”
Not only does the contradicting messaging make the administration appear weak and disorganized, but by going back on yet another campaign process the president continues to further estrange younger voters. After approving the Willow drilling project, despite promising to end new drilling earlier in the year, and more recently failing to be invited to the UN Climate Ambition Summit, Biden’s success in branding himself as an environmental champion is faltering.
Furthermore, this current border controversy highlights a more fundamental and consistent weakness within the Democratic policy narrative: a wishy-washy approach to immigration issues and a general lack of cohesion on immigration policy. According to a poll by the Pew Research Center, illegal immigration is considered a “very big problem” by 47% of respondents. While traditionally more of a conservative priority, strong and clear immigration policy is becoming increasingly important for Democratic voters following the influx of migrants to Democratic strongholds. Though many voters feel uncomfortable with the immigration policies espoused by the Republican Party, the Democrats seem to have very few tangible alternatives to offer.
If Biden has any hope of standing up to the Republican nominee, it is crucial that his immigration reforms are clarified and the Democratic Party presents a clear approach to this issue.
Ophelia Bentley is a freshman in the SFS, from the UK and New Hampshire. She is interested in energy and security policy, and is passionate about environmental activism.