In a remote duel at the Mexico border, Joe Biden and Donald Trump each blamed the other for the migration crisis. Both visited the location yesterday, signaling that migration will be a key issue in the upcoming elections.
Biden specifically criticized the former president for encouraging congressional Republicans to oppose a bipartisan bill. The bill, worth $20 billion, aimed to enhance border security, increase agents, implement stricter detention measures, and potentially close the border.
Biden’s Plea to Trump: “No political games, let’s unite on this issue”
According to Biden, the law was on the verge of passing until Trump intervened, arguing it would favor the current president. Biden encouraged Congress to show some independence from Trump and reminded them of their duties. He urged Trump to join him in urging Congress to pass the bipartisan border security bill.
Trump’s Claim: “Biden is responsible for this invasion”
Trump, however, accused Biden of provoking an invasion, stating from Eagle Pass that the U.S. is overwhelmed by the criminal influx caused by Biden. He confirmed that his third presidential campaign will focus on the migrant issue.
Trump’s aggressive language towards migrants sparked controversy. He accused them of “poisoning the blood of our country”, which many saw as an echo of Nazi rhetoric. He also claimed that the migrants bring unfamiliar languages and serious problems into the country.
The Remote Face-off between Brownsville and Eagle Pass
Biden visited Brownsville, a Democratic stronghold in Texas known for its balanced approach to border security and humane treatment of migrants. In contrast, Trump chose Eagle Pass, a symbol of the Republican challenge to Democratic policies.
In Eagle Pass, Governor Greg Abbott has defied the Supreme Court by using the National Guard to erect a barbed wire barrier. Trump praised Abbott’s policies against the migrant “invasion”, despite federal data showing that many migrants stopped at the border have no criminal record.
