When President Joe Biden took office on January 20, one of his first executive actions was to rescind a number of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Each one of Biden’s decisions has essentially signaled to the rest of the world that the United States’ southern border is open. Halting construction of the border wall and providing incentives for illegal immigrants to flock to America was Biden theoretically opening his arms to anyone and everyone who could — and would — make it to the southern border.
Days before Biden was sworn into office, caravans from Central America began making the trek towards the U.S. They knew they had to get to the border before Biden’s first 100 days were up, with a limited timeframe to capitalize on Biden’s policy shift.
“What I want for my people, I just want patience and pass to the U.S. because they have a new president,” a Honduran national said in mid-January. “President Biden is going to help all of us. He’s giving us 100 days to get to the U.S. and give us a paper so we can get a better life for our kids and our family.”
Biden’s campaign promises — like providing health care and amnesty to illegal immigrants — are almost certainly what caused the spike in illegal crossings at the southern border. Combined with areas where the border wall is incomplete and limited Border Control resources, a full out crisis spawned in no time.
We repeatedly hear about the border crisis, but no one wants to be honest about why this crisis exists. When America’s immigration rhetoric is soft, the drug cartels pounce. They see America’s vulnerabilities and play on that weakness. They know they can make thousands of dollars every single time a person crosses into the U.S. That is why they are going full speed, taking as many people as possible on their journeys to America. They have a limited window, and have to use it wisely.
But the human smugglers — commonly referred to as “coyotes” — are getting creative. They are using social media platforms, like Facebook, to appeal to those who are desperate to come to the United States. According to NBC News, coyotes are promising Central Americans a “100 percent safe journey.“
“‘Travel to Mexico to the United States. Costs $8,000. 100 percent safe,’ reads a recent post written in Spanish. ‘Cross through Matamoros. You walk one hour, after in automobile until you arrive to your relative.’
The Spanish-language posts identified by NBC News were found on public Facebook pages with names like ‘Migrants from Various Countries in Mexico’ and ‘Migrants in the Mexico-U.S.A. Border Awaiting Hearing.’
…
An apparent smuggler posted a picture of a family with luggage, wearing masks and sitting together on what appears to be a plane. ‘Make your dream a reality in the United States. We are here to help you,’ the caption reads. ‘The journey is safe and reliable and the price is $4,500 leaving from Monterrey to San Antonio, Texas.’”
One of the greatest concerns, according to Department of Homeland Security officials, is that migrants hire coyotes once they arrive in Mexico, using social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to connect with the smuggler. The migrants, however, know nothing about the coyotes they are hiring, yet they have to put their full trust in this stranger. Not only are their hopes and dreams on the line, but so are their lives.
The saddest part is that coyotes see each of these migrants as cash cows, not as human beings. They have no regard for human life, which becomes evident every time an unaccompanied minor is discovered abandoned in the middle of the desert, alone, to fend for themselves.
For example, as The Daily Wire reported, a 10-year-old Honduran boy’s mom and dad sent him to the United States — alone — with a coyote and a group of other migrants. The group went to sleep but when the boy woke up, every single person was gone. He was left in the middle of the Texas desert by himself.
“I came with a group, they dumped me and I don’t know where they are,” the young boy said through tears. “They can rob me. They can kidnap me. I am afraid.”
A Border Patrol agent came across the boy and transported him to the unaccompanied minor holding facility in Donna, Texas.
Heartbreaking video shows a migrant boy abandoned at the border. @mattgutmanabc reports. https://t.co/zkObnhkkMT pic.twitter.com/kOiI6oRU8c
— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 7, 2021
Sadly, this is an everyday occurrence.
The Biden administration’s soft immigration rhetoric, along with promises for “free” health care and a pathway to citizenship is playing right into the drug cartel and the coyotes’ hands.
The border crisis is no longer solely about protecting America’s interests and our national security. It is now about protecting innocent human life, especially young children. And it is why this crisis needs to be addressed. Immediately.
Beth Baumann is a Political Reporter at The Daily Wire. Follow her on Twitter @eb454.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.