Analysis: Addressing Border Concerns - Actions Speak Louder Than Words
In order to gain voter support, President Biden must prioritize tangible actions over symbolic gestures on border security, according to Jon Doe.
Jon Gabriel, the editor-in-chief of Ricochet.com and an opinion contributor to The Arizona Republic, shares his views on various platforms including Twitter at @ExJon. The opinions expressed in this article are his own. For more opinions, visit CNN.
In the midst of an election year, campaign stunts become the norm. These gimmicks aim to showcase a candidate's strength in areas where they may be perceived as weak. In keeping with this long-standing practice, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are both planning visits to the border on Thursday.
Jon Gabriel
Jon Gabriel
Biden's attempt to gain support through such stunts has historically not been very successful. Bob Dole's 96-hour tour before the 1996 election did not prevent him from losing to Bill Clinton. Similarly, John McCain's suspension of his 2008 campaign to address the Wall Street crash did not result in a victory over Barack Obama. Even Hillary Clinton's cross-country van tour in 2016, aimed at showing a common touch, did not prevent her loss to Trump.
Perhaps Biden’s visit to Texas on the same day as Trump's could have a different outcome. What stands out is the timing of their visits, sparking curiosity among observers.
As a lifelong resident of Arizona, I have witnessed border-state politicians making promises and taking photo ops in various cities like Douglas in the east and Yuma in the west. Despite their presence, the issue of unlawful migration continues to persist without significant progress.
Tucson has experienced a 182% surge in encounters this fiscal year compared to the previous one. However, Texas appears to receive the most media coverage, positioning it as the perfect spot for a photo opportunity.
The president's sole prior visit to the border occurred a year ago when he made a brief stop in El Paso before hastily returning home. This time, he will be visiting Brownsville, Texas, a city situated next to the Gulf of Mexico and known for its relatively quiet flow of migrant traffic.
A Border Patrol agent is seen walking along a line of migrants waiting to surrender to US Customs and Border Protection agents for processing near the Paso del Norte Port of Entry after crossing the US-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas on May 9, 2023.
The US is set to officially end its 40-month Covid-19 emergency on May 11, 2023, which includes discarding the Title 42 law. This law has been a tool used to prevent millions of migrants from entering the country. 
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
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The border compromise could have made a significant difference. Trump, on the other hand, will be in Eagle Pass, Texas, about 300 miles to the northwest. This small town gained notoriety for having some of the highest rates of illegal border crossings. Eagle Pass is located in the Del Rio sector, which saw 71,000 arrests in December.
Eagle Pass has become a flashpoint between the administration and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. He has deployed Texas National Guard troops to address the overflow of undocumented migrants, and recently announced plans for an 80-acre military base in the area to house the troops.
Why is Biden visiting now, after all but ignoring the border since his inauguration? The answer is simple: disastrous polls.
The president’s job approval has fallen to 38%, according to Gallup. A significant factor in this drop-off is his handling of immigration, which is at an all-time low approval of 28%. And the disdain is bipartisan. A slim majority of Democrats (55%) still support Biden on border security, but this shows a drop of seven points from the last poll published in August.
And the top issue for voters? You guessed it. When asked about the most important problem facing America, immigration was number one, garnering 28%. This is an increase of eight points from a month ago.
Biden also faces increasing pressure from Democratic governors and mayors who are panicked over the migrant influx.
EAGLE PASS, TEXAS - DECEMBER 18: Migrants who had crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico walk towards a processing center on December 18, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. A surge as many as 12,000 immigrants per day crossing the U.S. southern border has overwhelmed U.S. immigration authorities in recent weeks. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
Migrants who had crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico walk towards a processing center in Eagle Pass, Texas. The surge of as many as 12,000 immigrants per day crossing the U.S. southern border has overwhelmed U.S. immigration authorities in recent weeks. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently expressed the need to revise the city's "sanctuary city" law to allow for the transfer of migrants who commit felonies to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In a newspaper ad published in January, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker pleaded with Abbott to cease the practice of bussing migrants north.
The recent surge in alleged crimes committed by individuals who have recently crossed the border, from the assault on New York City Police Department officers to the heartbreaking murder of a Georgia nursing student, adds to the already existing concerns.
Given that the United States is just eight months away from an election, it is natural for politicians to feel anxious. However, a short-lived campaign stunt in Texas is unlikely to sway the opinions of angry voters who are keen on ousting incumbents.
The president's focus is on discussing the Senate bipartisan border security agreement, as stated in a White House release on Monday. This indicates that Biden's primary objective is to shift the blame onto his political adversaries.
According to the statement, he will emphasize the need for congressional Republicans to cease playing politics and allocate the necessary funds for increased U.S. Border Patrol agents, additional asylum officers, fentanyl detection technology, and more. In contrast, Trump is likely to point fingers at Biden for the ongoing border crisis.
Neither of the so-called "leaders" will take any real action to address the border crisis. It seems they prefer to put on a show for the cameras rather than actually fixing the issue.
Earlier this month, Trump successfully convinced Senate Republicans to dismiss a proposed compromise, essentially eliminating any chance of legislative progress before Election Day. In response, the House GOP voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a futile effort that is unlikely to pass in the upper chamber.
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If Biden hopes to enhance his appeal to voters, simply taking a photo in Brownsville will not suffice. Instead of just striking poses, he must take concrete actions. It is a fact that his predecessor admitted far fewer migrants into the country while operating under the same existing laws.
Upon assuming office, the president immediately reversed many of Trump's immigration policies. However, the changes made by executive order can easily be undone, a strategy that sources indicate Biden is currently exploring. This action could help alleviate Biden's declining approval ratings while also providing relief to border states and cities overwhelmed by the influx of migrants.
Voters are no longer satisfied with politicians who simply talk about problems without taking action. They are fed up with ineffective committees, failed compromises, and the constant political gridlock in Washington. The public is weary of staged photo opportunities at the border, symbolic gestures, and empty campaign promises.
What they want is results; something Biden can provide with the stroke of his pen. Once he gets back from Texas, that is.
Editor's P/S:
The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the upcoming border visits by President Biden and former President Trump. The author argues that these visits are mere campaign stunts unlikely to sway public opinion or address the ongoing border crisis. The author highlights the dismal track record of such stunts and the increasing public dissatisfaction with politicians who prioritize photo opportunities over concrete actions.
The article also underscores the political motivations behind the visits, with Biden seeking to shift blame onto Republicans and Trump aiming to capitalize on the border issue for electoral gains. The author emphasizes the need for both leaders to prioritize real solutions rather than political theater. They should focus on implementing effective policies, such as reinstating effective Trump-era measures, to address the border crisis and alleviate the burden on border states and cities.
