Biden, Border, Brutality
TLDR
In "Biden Didn't Cause the Border Crisis," published by American Purpose, David J. Bier dismantles the narrative that President Joe Biden is responsible for the U.S.-Mexico border crisis. Bier argues that the surge in migration stems from global economic forces, flaws in previous immigration policies, and increased access to migration information—not from Biden’s policies. Contrary to popular claims, Biden significantly intensified border enforcement while logistical and geopolitical challenges hindered further action.
David J. Bier presents a comprehensive analysis showing that the current border crisis is not a result of President Biden's policies but rather a continuation of migration trends set in motion before his presidency. By December 2020—before Biden took office—illegal immigration had already reached a 21-year high, signaling that structural and global factors were driving the increase in border crossings.
Biden’s Intensified Border Enforcement:
Bier counters claims of lax border control by detailing how Biden increased deportations and border security measures:
- Expulsions of migrants rose significantly.
- Interior detentions tripled, and border detentions grew twelvefold.
- Air removal flights increased by 55% compared to 2020.
- Over 3.3 million border crossers were removed or expelled—triple the amount under former President Donald Trump.
Labor Market Demand as a Pull Factor:
The U.S. labor market's record-breaking demand for workers created a powerful incentive for migration. Job openings surged from February 2021 to August 2024, drawing migrants seeking economic opportunities. Bier emphasizes that migration naturally declined as the labor market cooled in 2024, demonstrating that economic conditions, not policy, primarily drive migration trends.
Impact of Social Media and Migration Networks:
Bier highlights how increased internet access and social media usage in Central and South America between 2018 and 2021 provided migrants with real-time border updates and access to smugglers, accelerating migration flows independently of U.S. policies.
Flaws in Trump-Era Policies:
Bier criticizes Title 42, a policy introduced under Trump that allowed for rapid migrant expulsions during the pandemic. This policy inadvertently encouraged repeat border crossings by allowing expelled migrants to immediately attempt re-entry. Biden initially continued this policy but later recognized its inefficiency and began transitioning to more effective strategies.
Logistical Constraints on Deportation:
Bier explains that logistical barriers, not policy leniency, limited Biden’s enforcement efforts:
- Mexico refused to accept many expelled families and distant migrants.
- Air removal capacity was stretched thin due to resource limitations.
- Countries like Venezuela and Cuba rejected deportation flights.
Western Hemisphere Cooperation:
Biden’s administration worked with regional partners to control migration:
- Convinced Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize to tighten visa policies.
- Pressured Colombia to accept deportations of Venezuelan migrants.
- Strengthened deportation agreements with Cuba and China.
Some enforcement measures produced unintended effects. For example, restricting visa-free travel for Venezuelans in Mexico pushed migrants to take more dangerous land routes, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Migration at the U.S.-Mexico border declined in early 2024—before Biden implemented new executive orders. Bier attributes this decline to a cooling labor market, not stricter policies, suggesting that economic shifts play a larger role in migration patterns than enforcement actions.
Concluding Reflections
David J. Bier’s analysis in American Purpose challenges the simplistic claim that President Biden caused the border crisis. His data-driven argument demonstrates that migration surges result from global economic forces, Trump-era policy failures, and logistical obstacles beyond Biden’s control. Biden’s administration increased enforcement and engaged in international diplomacy to manage migration flows. Bier's work underscores the complexity of immigration policy and warns against reducing such a multifaceted issue to partisan blame.
Source:
David J. Bier, "Biden Didn't Cause the Border Crisis," American Purpose, 2024.
