Bidenites are rushing to cite October’s decline in border crossings as proof that they’re finally turning things around. Yet the number is still at a historic peak, far above the pre-Biden and pre-COVID era.
For federal fiscal year 2019 (the feds end the year Sept. 30), illegal border crossings were at 859,501. That dropped down to 405,036 in FY 2020. But FY 2021 — with Biden’s presidency beginning — saw 1,662,167 apprehended, double the 2019 total.
So, yes, October’s 186,672 is a notable drop from July’s all-time high of 213,000 apprehensions. But it’s not close to a sign that the crisis is over: Maybe the Mexican cartels who seem to actually control the border just opted to slow things down a bit.
Bottom line: Would-be migrants still know they have a chance of rewards at the end of the perilous trek. Heck, the administration’s looking at cutting checks of $450,000 for some and has banned ICE from doing worksite raids.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admitted that he didn’t want to deport all — most? — of the 1.2 million people here illegally who have been given final removal warnings. That’s giving away the game. The Democrats don’t want to deport anyone. They’re drawing up an amnesty-for-all program to grant illegal immigrants work permits, Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses.
It sure looks like getting real action at the border is going to require major changes in DC.