The migrant crisis at the southern border of the United States continues to escalate as an additional thousand individuals have joined the caravan of migrants in Mexico bound north. This alarming increase within a span of 24 hours brings the total number of migrants to approximately 7,000.
Many of these migrants are fleeing poverty and political instability in their home countries. However, it is important to note that this mass migration also poses significant challenges for the United States, particularly in terms of border security, public safety, and economic stability.
NEW * SECOND MIGRANT CARAVAN *
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This is one of the many caravans currently in southern Mexico. This group is around 6,000 people and it’s mostly people from Central America. FOUR CARAVANS LEAVING MEXICO TODAY!!
— Carlos Arellano (@carlosstex) October 30, 2023
Interestingly, Chinese influencers have been found to be actively guiding these migrants on how to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. They use social media platforms like Twitter, which is blocked in China but accessible through VPNs, to share advice on evading U.S. Border Patrol agents and surrendering tactics.
This surge in migration from China began to rise significantly in 2018, when President Xi Jinping amended the constitution to scrap the presidential term limit. The COVID-19 pandemic and China’s stringent border controls temporarily stemmed the exodus, but emigration has resumed with China’s economy struggling to rebound and youth unemployment high.
"Analysis from the Center for Immigration Studies of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS) reveals that, as of August, the foreign-born population stands at about 49.5 million — just 500,000 immigrants short of hitting 50 million."https://t.co/kVFYqM2qqw
— Center for Immigration Studies (@CIS_org) October 10, 2023
The current U.S. administration, under President Joe Biden, is under immense pressure to address the increasing number of people crossing illegally into the United States from Mexico.
However, the administration’s approach so far has been largely reactive rather than proactive, leading to a humanitarian crisis at the border.
The latest wave of Chinese migrants has even coined an internet meme, ‘runxue.’ The term, which means the study of running away, started as a way to get around censorship, using a Chinese character whose pronunciation spells like the English word ‘run’ but means ‘moistening.’
This situation calls for immediate and effective action from the U.S. government. It is crucial to strike a balance between upholding humanitarian values and ensuring national security. The current administration needs to reassess its border policies and work towards a comprehensive immigration reform.
In conclusion, the escalating migrant crisis at the southern border of the United States is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. It is high time for the U.S. government to take decisive action to address this crisis effectively and responsibly.
