On the afternoon of February 29, local time, Joe Biden and Donald Trump both arrived in Texas, a rare sight that attracted global attention.
Biden and Trump are here not for tourism, but to speak out on the growing problem of illegal immigration. Despite the fact that the two men chose the same state, they cleverly avoided direct conversations. Trump went to Eagle Pass, while Biden chose Brownsville, about 523 kilometers from there.
It is reported that Biden's itinerary was announced as early as 3 days ago, and Trump's arrival seems to be more improvised, and he seems to just want to be there in person to criticize Biden's immigration policy. However, Trump arrived about 30 minutes faster than Biden that day.
Biden was accompanied by border agents as he visited along the Rio Grande River in Brownsville. However, it was surprising that the head of the Border Patrol warned Biden a few hours in advance: "Don't say our names", which undoubtedly highlights their dissatisfaction with the immigration policy set by Biden.
During Biden's visit, security measures were tight. Underwater patrol boats, trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and drones flying overhead form an impregnable line of defense. Behind these security measures, however, a "Welcome Trump" banner stands out.
After the tour, Biden gave a speech in which he blamed the current border crisis on "fake asylum claims," claiming that these applications are a serious drag on the asylum processing system. However, Biden did not promise to use executive power to restrict the release of asylum applicants, a decision that sparked heated discussions in all walks of life.
At the same time, the White House began to refer to illegal immigrants as "newcomers," a "correct term" that provoked the displeasure of many Americans. Mark Green, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, accused Biden of using "dishonest and misleading language" to deceive Americans, an accusation that sparked heated debate.
The border policies of Trump and Biden are in stark contrast. Mr. Trump's gesture of waving his fist at migrants on the other side of the river at the hexagonal barbed wire fence at the Texas border is an unmistakable display of his hard-line stance. Regarding Biden's immigration policy, Trump bluntly said: "Biden's hands are stained with the blood of countless innocent victims."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, meanwhile, has joined Trump in a common goal: to crack down on illegal immigration. However, Abbott's new state law was rejected by a federal judge, an incident that exposed Texas' struggles and confusion over immigration.
On this day, the actions of two important figures on the US border have sparked attention and discussion around the world. Their arrival is not only a political show, but also an important symbol of the direction of American immigration policy.
The immigration problem in the United States has gone far beyond the scope of one country, and it has touched the nerves of the whole world. In this game of political calculations and humanitarian considerations, we look forward to seeing more reasonable and workable solutions emerge.