Illegal Border Crossings Climbed in January, Raising Pandemic Worries

    After the Inauguration of former Vice President Joe Biden held on January 20, 2021, The United States Customs and Border Protection Agency has seen an increase of illegal border crossing with more than 75,000 arrests in January. According to the US CBP, the increase of illegal immigration went up 6% from December of last year. The increase in illegal border crossings may have to do with the new administration's immigration policy that it has campaigned on for the past few months. Joe Biden and the Democratic Party have been outspoken about reversing former President Donald Trump's Immigration Policies to more loose border restrictions. The article from the Wall Street Journal, Deputy Border Patrol Chief, Raul Ortiz, talks about the increase in illegal border crossings and how he worries about the increase by saying in an interview, "We are worried about the wide circulation of rumors that the U.S. border is open," which he then later mentions that is so far not the case. At this moment, anyone entering the United States illegally is in violation of 8 United States Code 1325; also known as the Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IRIRA). Joe Biden has promoted the idea of opening the Southern Border and citizenship for undocumented individuals but so far there have been no steps toward looser immigration policies; meaning that 8 USC 1325 is still in effect. More people arrested at the Southern Border have caused issues on the taxpayer but also to the health of US Border Patrol Agents and citizens. Due to the Coronavirus still a rapment issue, the influx of illegal immigrants puts stress on the safety of citizens from the Virus. Fluctuation of illegal border crossing mat see an increase of Covid-19 positive patients as more people come in contact with one another. Biden's plan to open up the borders has not yet occured and people can still be subjected to a civil penalty if caught crossing; but the increase may bring more issues with an increase of Coronavirus cases.

Jesse Solis

The Wall Street Journal - Article written by Michelle Hackman

https://www.wsj.com/articles/illegal-border-crossings-climbed-in-january-raising-pandemic-worries-11613007374?page=1