Over 1.9 Million People Illegally Entered Texas In Fiscal 2023
As the number of illegal immigrants pouring into the United States through the southern border continues to steadily increase, Democratic governors and mayors around the country are urging President Joe Biden to do more. While the situation has put a strain on their respective communities, it’s still quite a bit shy of the number of people who illegally entered Texas in fiscal 2023 – a staggering 1.9 million people.
The number of people illegally crossing over the border has led to a backlog in processing times for all migrants and refugees entering the United States. This has resulted in the formation of several sprawling tent cities near the Rio Grande where, as of April 2021, approximately 18,000 people – including more than 1,000 children – had been waiting to be processed.
In response, the Biden administration has pushed to increase the number of immigrants legally admitted and given a path to citizenship. This includes expanding family-based immigration, protecting DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, and halting the building of the controversial border wall.
However, the administration has not been without its detractors. Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has been a vocal critic of the president’s immigration policy, arguing that the state’s surge in illegal immigrants has been facilitated by Biden’s refusal to enforce existing laws. Abbott and other Republicans have also blasted the administration for sidestepping Congress in its decision to raise the annual cap for refugee admissions from 15,000 to 62,500.
Regardless of the political discourse, there is no denying that Texas’ 1.9 million illegal immigrants has added immense strain onto the state’s healthcare and housing systems. To combat this, Abbott has requested that the Biden administration to fund two centers – one in El Paso and the other in Laredo – to expedite the processing of asylum seekers and have the federal government bear the financial responsibility of providing the immigrants with temporary housing, food, and other necessities.
In addition, the governor has also requested the Fort Bliss Army base to be used to house the increasing number of unaccompanied children entering the country. He made this request as a direct response to reports of poor conditions and overcrowding in the makeshift tent cities in the Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector.
Despite their differences, both the Biden administration and Governor Abbott have expressed support for addressing the root causes of illegal immigration and creating a viable path to citizenship for those in the United States illegally. The president has also made repeated public statements that they are “working on a plan.” It remains to be seen, however, exactly how the administration plans to address this issue.
As the number of people illegally entering Texas continues to rise, citizens and policymakers alike must strive to find a solution that will both be humane and protect the sovereignty of the nation. The future of immigration reform depends on it.
