President Joe Biden acknowledged on Friday that the southern border is not secure, undercutting years of lies by his administration and spin by the news media.
During Biden's three years in office, the United States has repeatedly set new record highs for illegal border crossings, including by migrants on the FBI's terrorist watch list, and drug smuggling from Mexico. Still, Biden's aides have insisted the border is "closed," "not open," and totally "secure."
When Republicans have criticized Biden for failing to address the reality at the border, news outlets have played defense for the president and his White House.
Newsweek, Jan. 24, 2022: "Joe Biden Doesn't Have an 'Open Border' Policy, so Why Do Republicans Say Otherwise?"
President Joe Biden's first year in office has seen authorities encounter almost 1.8 million migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, prompting conservative leaders to lambast his administration for its "dangerous open border policy." …
While usage of the phrase "open border" has become more popular, with both Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Senator Ted Cruz invoking the term when offering critiques of the administration, those who study the situation say their usage of the term is incorrect.
MSNBC, April 21, 2022: "GOP has a weird habit of debunking its own 'open borders' claims":
On the one hand, the RNC wants people to believe President Joe Biden has adopted an open-border policy. On the other hand, the RNC also pointed to illegal drugs stopped at the southern border thanks to the Biden administration’s border-security measures. …
Many of these people aren't trying to sneak into the United States. On the contrary, they often seek out U.S. border officials in order to seek asylum—a process that only begins when someone reaches American soil.
Associated Press, March 7, 2023: "Plunge in border crossings could blunt GOP attack on Biden":
A sharp drop in illegal border crossings since December could blunt a Republican point of attack against President Joe Biden as the Democratic leader moves to reshape a broken asylum system that has dogged him and his predecessors.
Vanity Fair, March 24, 2023: "How the Right's 'Open Borders' Myth Might Be Fueling the Migration Crisis":
While right-wing media's "open borders" messaging has proven salient for stateside viewers, there's also reason to believe that it's impacting perceptions of the border abroad. …
Just how this misinformation is reaching migrants is not entirely clear.
Axios, June 24, 2023: "Biden's breakthrough on immigration":
Why it matters: Immigration has been one of President Biden's biggest logistical and political challenges. Friday's court ruling and the new data are signs of a breakthrough for Biden—even as Republicans in Congress plot to impeach him over his border policies. …
Between the lines: An expected surge of migrants after Title 42 ended hasn't materialized, as Biden's limits on asylum have kicked in. Illegal border crossings actually dipped last month despite the surge in early May, according to new Department of Homeland Security data.
NBC News, Sept. 28, 2023: "The false statements and half-truths about immigration that were told in the second Republican presidential debate":
Statements such as the border is "open" and former President Donald Trump reduced illegal immigration by 90% are not true.
Axios, Oct. 17, 2023: "Axios Explains: The myth of a U.S.-Mexico 'open border'":
By using the term "open border," conservatives—including Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who is seeking the role of House speaker—are suggesting that anyone can get into the U.S. without much hassle. But the reality is that the southern border is more fortified than it's ever been.
When all else has failed, the media have resorted to calling Republicans racist.
USA Today, May 29, 2022: "Republican politicians all over the country have repeated the Great Replacement theory":
A century-old racist theory reentered the political discourse around immigration and has become commonplace on the campaign trail as Republicans hope to retake control of Congress in November.
NPR, Aug. 18, 2022: "A majority of Americans see an 'invasion' at the southern border, NPR poll finds":
Republican leaders are increasingly framing the situation as an "invasion." Immigrant advocates say the word has a long history in white nationalist circles, and warn that such extreme rhetoric could provoke more violence against immigrants.
New York Times, Oct. 19, 2023: "For Republicans, All Roads Lead to the U.S.-Mexico Border":
Historians and political analysts warned that much of the heated language on immigration plays into far right and sometimes explicitly racist tropes that fuel fear with the potential for violence.
Asked by a reporter at the White House on Friday whether the border is secure, Biden said, "No, it's not. I haven't believed that for the last 10 years, and I've said it for the last 10 years."