First Lady Jill Biden’s emotional response to former President Donald Trump’s border policies had a major influence on President Joe Biden’s decision to reverse several of them, according to White House advisers who spoke to The Wall Street Journal.
The decision to end Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” program and to pause the construction of the border wall was heavily influenced by the First Lady’s visit to a migrant encampment in Matamoros, Mexico. Additionally, her strong reaction to the family separation policy implemented by Trump’s administration is said to have played a significant role in Biden’s decision-making process.
The Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, which forced asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims were being processed, was widely criticized for its inhumane treatment of migrants. The first lady’s visit to a migrant encampment in Matamoros, where she witnessed the dire conditions endured by these asylum seekers, is said to have deeply moved her.
This experience is said to have been a major factor in Biden’s decision to reverse the policy upon taking office. This move has been widely praised by immigrant rights activists who have long been calling for an end to the program.
In addition to the “Remain in Mexico” program, the first lady’s emotional response to Trump’s family separation policy is said to have had a significant impact on Biden’s decision-making process. This policy, which separated children from their parents at the border, was criticized by many as inhumane and cruel. Jill Biden’s emotional reaction to this policy is said to have influenced Biden’s decision to put an end to it and reunite the affected families. This decision has been widely applauded by human rights organizations and immigrant advocacy groups.
The Biden administration took office at a time when the border crisis was at its peak. In the fiscal year of 2022, more than 2.2 million migrants were encountered at the southern border, according to Fox News. This presented a major challenge to the new administration, with some critics accusing Biden of not doing enough to address the crisis. However, the administration argues that they inherited a broken immigration system and that they are working tirelessly to fix it.
As the 2024 election approaches, Biden is expected to face a rematch against Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the administration’s handling of the border crisis. With concerns and criticism mounting, the White House and congressional leaders are currently engaged in negotiations to secure funding for border security initiatives. Biden met with House Speaker Mike Johnson and other congressional leaders on Wednesday to try to reach an agreement.
Following the meeting, Johnson said that the funding for Ukraine may be separated from the border funding. He explained that Ukraine is being used as leverage to secure the border deal, but that it may be broken up and dealt with separately. The negotiations for the supplemental package, which includes funding for Ukraine and Israel, have stalled due to disagreements over the border funding. The results of these negotiations will have a major impact on the Biden administration’s efforts to address the border crisis.
The decision to reverse Trump’s border policies has been met with both praise and criticism. While immigrant rights activists applaud the move, others, including Trump and his supporters, have been critical of the administration’s handling of the border crisis. They argue that the reversal of these policies has led to a surge in illegal immigration, as evidenced by the record-high encounters at the border in the 2023 fiscal year.
As the negotiations for border funding continue, the Biden administration will face increasing pressure to find effective solutions to address the border crisis and secure the nation’s borders.