President Biden heads to U.S.-Mexico border for 1st visit in office as criticism mounts over immigration policies


President Biden will visit the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday for the first time as commander-in-chief, allowing him to get a firsthand look at the ongoing migrant issues that have seemed to plague him since taking office.
The president is slated to visit El Paso, Texas, which The Associated Press noted is currently the largest corridor for illegal crossings on the southern border. While there, Biden will meet with border officials and migrants rights groups to discuss a range of issues. Among these will reportedly be the increased drug trafficking statistics at the border, along with the rising number of asylum seekers aiming to take refuge in the United States.
Republicans have had their sights laser-focused on the issues at the border, framing it as a "crisis" indicative of the Biden administration's failures. However, White House officials have continually pushed back against these assertions and recently announced a tranche of additional resources for the border. The administration also announced increased coordination for anti-drug smuggling operations.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In a likely attempt to appease Republicans, the president also recently announced that his administration would be expanding Title 42, a Trump-era pandemic immigration policy that allows the U.S. to expel asylum seekers in the interest of national health.
However, this decision drew criticism among human rights organizations and even some of Biden's Democratic allies. In response, Biden has called for congressional legislation in Title 42's place, saying, "If the most extreme Republicans continue to demagogue this issue, and reject solutions, I'm left with only one choice: To act on my own, do as much as I can on my own,"
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Can Trump put his tariffs on stronger legal footing?
Today's Big Question Appeals court says 'emergency' tariffs are improper
-
Film reviews: The Roses, Splitsville, and Twinless
Feature A happy union devolves into domestic warfare, a couple's open marriage reaps chaos, and an unlikely friendship takes surprising turns
-
Thought-provoking podcasts you may have missed this summer
The Week Recommends Check out a true crime binger, a deep-dive into history and more
-
'What's profitable today is not unification. It's segmentation.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
US kills 11 on 'drug-carrying boat' off Venezuela
Speed Read Trump claimed those killed in the strike were 'positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists' shipping drugs to the US
-
Trump vows to send federal forces to Chicago, Baltimore
Speed Read The announcement followed a California judge ruling that Trump's LA troop deployment was illegal
-
Trump crypto token launch earns family billions
Speed Read The World Liberty Financial token is now the Trump family's 'most valuable asset'
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revolt
Speed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
Truck drivers are questioning the Trump administration's English mandate
Talking Points Some have praised the rules, others are concerned they could lead to profiling
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich thrower
Speed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
White House fires new CDC head amid agency exodus
Speed Read CDC Director Susan Monarez was ousted after butting heads with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines