Trump’s Border Crisis Is Made in the U.S.A.
Fixing the asylum system would work better than blocking access to it.
This won’t stop asylum seekers.
Photographer: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Getty Images
The Trump administration says the U.S. faces a “national security and humanitarian crisis” at its southwest border. The situation has indeed deteriorated — and President Trump’s approach to the issue is one reason why. His misguided policies have made a surge of asylum seekers from Central America harder to handle, and diverted attention and resources from a problem that has been building over the last decade.
The number of undocumented border crossers apprehended last month was the highest February total since 2007. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen testified last week that “illegal immigration is spiraling out of control and threatening public safety and national security.” She said apprehensions were on track to hit about 900,000 this year.