Opinion: Cause a border crisis then take credit for solving it- Biden considers new executive action

President Joe BidenPhoto byFacebook

[U.S Politics] In the last three years, the United States has experienced a surge in border crossings and an unprecedented migration crisis. President Joe Biden, who has been criticized for his handling of the situation, is reportedly now considering taking executive action to address the issue Politico reported.

When Biden first took office in 2021, he quickly signed numerous executive actions on immigration and the border in his first 100 days. These actions included halting construction of the border wall and ending the "Remain in Mexico" policy, which critics claim contributed to the current crisis.

I’m not making new law; I’m eliminating bad policy. What I’m doing is taking on the issues that — 99 percent of them — that the President — the last President of the United States issued executive orders I felt were very counterproductive to our security, counterproductive to who we are as a country, particularly in — in the area of immigration.-Joe Biden

Since then, there have been over 7.2 million illegal border crossings, including 1.4 million "gotaways" who have escaped into the U.S. according to the New York Post.

Republicans have long argued that Biden could have solved the crisis by reversing his initial actions, but accuse him instead of choosing to let the situation worsen to appease his progressive base.

On the other hand, Democrats had argued that immigration can only be addressed through legislation, not executive action. However, a bi-partisan border bill that was attached to funding for Ukraine, Israel, and other foreign aid, failed to advance in the Senate earlier this month.

As the 2024 election approaches, there is reportedly growing concern among Democrats that the southern border presents a profound election liability for the party.

As the number of migrants crossing the southern border has risen to record levels, public support for immigration has gone down, including among Democrats. –( Los Angeles Times)

In response to leaks of executive action possibly forthcoming, GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) which reads in part, “The President suddenly seems interested in trying to make a change using the legal authority that he claimed until recently didn't exist”. View the full statement.

X user and White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich pointed to the hypocrisy on both sides of the political aisle writing:

“Hypocrisy on all sides with this issue. -Johnson called for Biden to take executive action, now casting it as an election year gimmick -Biden claimed he had already done everything he could unilaterally and is suddenly acknowledging he can do more -Dems railing against the proposed action are the same ones chastising GOP for not passing the Senate bill, which has the same language on entry numbers” -Jacqui Heinrich

Regardless of the outcome, the border crisis and its handling will play a significant role in the upcoming election and both sides will and should be held responsible.

While executive action is a step towards resolving the crisis, doing so at this point seems merely a political move to take credit for solving a problem some blame Biden for creating.