President Joe Biden is facing a challenge from within his party as Democrats like Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman speak out about the situation at the southern border. Fetterman, previously identified as a progressive, has shifted his stance and now considers himself a regular Democrat.
Fetterman has been vocal about the United States-Mexico border and the conflict in Gaza, expressing concerns about the increasing number of migrants being processed there. Data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed that a record-breaking 300,000 migrants were processed in December alone.
Kellyanne Conway, former White House adviser in the Trump administration, discussed voters’ concerns in an interview on Fox News’ America’s Newsroom. She highlighted issues such as abortion and the influx of migrants crossing the border. Conway cautioned that Biden may face growing challenges from Democrats like Fetterman and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, who have referred to the situation at the border as a “crisis,” a term that Biden disagrees with.
Conway emphasized the need for Biden to address the border situation, just as she had advised Donald Trump to do during his presidency. She suggested that Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas acknowledge the crisis, which aligns with most Americans.
Biden has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for his handling of the border. CBP data shows a significant increase in encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border, reaching over 2.4 million during the 2023 fiscal year, compared to approximately 1.7 million in 2021.
Republicans attribute the surge in migrant arrivals to Biden’s border policies, which they argue incentivize illegal immigration. Some experts also point out that migrants have been transported from Texas to Democratic-controlled “sanctuary cities” that protect undocumented immigrants from deportation, sparking further criticism from Democrats. Biden is under pressure to address these concerns about immigration ahead of the 2024 election.
Governor Katie Hobbs, elected in 2022, has also expressed worries about the border situation in Arizona. In December, she criticized the Biden administration for not providing sufficient resources to manage the flow of migrants, leading her to deploy members of the National Guard to assist law enforcement efforts.
Hobbs emphasized the need for resources and workforce to reopen the Lukeville crossing and maintain a secure and orderly border. According to Hobbs, despite repeated requests for assistance, the Biden administration has failed to deliver the necessary resources.
The migration to the U.S. from Central American countries is driven by political and financial instability in those regions. This ongoing issue requires immediate attention and collaborative efforts to ensure a secure and humane border.
