Bipartisan Criticism Arises Against Biden's Implementation of a Border Wall

President Joe Biden is facing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum following the announcement of new border wall construction in Texas. Despite claiming that he "can't stop" the construction due to funding being allocated in 2019, the Department of Homeland Security has emphasized the urgent need for these barriers. The number of migrants detained in the US, particularly in cities like New York, has posed a significant challenge for President Biden, who has received intense scrutiny for his handling of the border situation. The funding for the border wall was initially approved during the 2019 fiscal year, while Donald Trump was president. The plan is to construct approximately 20 miles of new barriers in Starr County, which is sparsely populated and located in the Rio Grande Valley. During his campaign in 2020, President Biden promised to avoid building any more wall if elected. However, a senior administration official has attributed the new construction to the US Congress's resistance in rescinding the funds requested in President Biden's initial budget proposal in May 2021. According to a 1974 law, appropriated funds must be used for their intended purpose unless both the Senate and House of Representatives approve a rescission. Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas commented that they have repeatedly asked Congress to rescind the money but have not received approval, leaving them obliged to follow the law. This statement contrasts with a notice on the US Federal Registry, where Mr. Mayorkas acknowledges the "acute and immediate need" for physical barriers and roads to prevent unauthorized entries into the US. Representative Henry Cuellar, a Democrat representing Starr County, expressed skepticism about his constituents' reaction to the announcement, emphasizing his opposition to a wall as a solution to contemporary migration issues and calling for more personnel and technology. Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez described the decision as a "cruel policy" and urged President Biden to reverse course, stressing the need to address the root causes of migration. Some Republicans have also criticized President Biden for what they perceive as a sudden shift in policies he campaigned against, noting that building a border wall was a signature policy of Donald Trump and was vehemently opposed by Democrats, including Biden. Advocacy groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have also condemned the decision, referring to it as a "profound failure" and highlighting the administration's failure to uphold its promise of not pursuing border wall policies. Border strategies director at the ACLU, Jonathan Blazer, criticized the administration for doubling down on past failed and ineffective policies. The latest data shows that the US Border Patrol apprehended 181,059 individuals along the southern border in August, compared to 132,648 in July. Since the beginning of the current fiscal year in October 2022, over 2.2 million individuals have been detained. Additionally, the administration announced the resumption of deportations for around 50,000 illegal Venezuelan migrants who arrived at the US-Mexico border in September.