Mexico (Washington Insider Magazine)—Recent developments in the United States immigration landscape have highlighted Mexico’s pivotal role in shaping American electoral outcomes. As the issue of immigration takes center stage in the US presidential campaign, the Biden administration has been reliant on cooperation from Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to manage the influx of migrants across the southern border.
In December, President Joe Biden urgently reached out to his Mexican counterpart for assistance amid historic levels of border crossings. Subsequently, Mexico bolstered its surveillance efforts, leading to a notable decrease in unauthorized border crossings into the United States by January.
While publicly lauded as a success in diplomacy, privately, some senior Biden officials have expressed concerns regarding López Obrador’s consistency in controlling Mexico’s southern border and combating smuggling routes. This sentiment underscores a shift from the Trump administration’s strategy, which utilized tariff threats to enforce strict anti-immigration measures.
Despite Mexico’s efforts to ramp up immigration checkpoints and law enforcement personnel, the number of migrants arriving at the US border remains alarmingly high. Factors contributing to this surge include persistent poverty, escalating violence, climate change, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acknowledging the limitations of unilateral action, López Obrador has called on the US to address the root causes of migration by providing greater development aid to Latin American countries. However, tensions persist over differing approaches to immigration policy, with Mexican authorities attributing part of the issue to backlogs in the US asylum system.
According to Catholicvote, The left-wing president of Mexico has promised a continual influx of illegal migrants across the southern US border if the Biden administration does not commit to a slew of policy initiatives that benefit various Latin American countries.
During Sunday’s episode of “60 Minutes” on CBS, hostess Sharyn Alfonsi asked President Andrés Manuel López Obrador if he will play an active part in resolving the ongoing border problem.
“Everyone believes you have the power right now to curb migration. Do you intend to? She pressed him.
“We do,” Obrador stated in his native Spanish. “And want to keep doing it. But we want to address the core issues and take them seriously.”
Efforts to curb migration through increased deportations and visa restrictions have faced logistical and legal hurdles, with deportations from Mexico declining significantly last year. Moreover, the practice of transporting migrants away from the border has drawn criticism for exacerbating their vulnerabilities and risks.
As the US grapples with the complexities of its immigration challenges, Mexico’s role in managing the flow of migrants continues to be scrutinized. The outcome of this collaboration not only impacts border security but also carries significant implications for US domestic politics and future elections.
