Despite the relentless spin from the legacy media and political opponents, the undeniable reality is that in less than 30 days since President Donald Trump took office, the catastrophic humanitarian and national security crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border has all but ended. The contrast is particularly striking in my hometown of Eagle Pass, TX, which had been ground zero for the previous administration’s border policies. Under Biden, tens of thousands from across the globe flooded through this small Hispanic town, facilitated in part by the now-defunct CBP One application, the U.S. government, and countless Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and charities.
When I was growing up in Eagle Pass, crossing between Texas and Mexico was routine and relatively hassle-free. Back then, the best restaurants and bars were on the Mexican side, while better shopping and cheaper gas were on the Texas side. Today, that dynamic has changed dramatically. Even if the restaurant scene in Mexico had remained more robust, few—including my family members—are willing to risk long waits, Mexican police harassment, and cartel violence just for a good meal.
Legal visitors still cross daily, filling supermarkets, gas stations, and department stores. These individuals, who come to shop, dine, and visit family, do so through proper channels, presenting passports or IDs upon entry. Yet for years, they shared these bridges with thousands of others who waded across the river illegally, often discarding their identification before crossing. Under the previous administration, this crisis was not only ignored but actively encouraged.
To be sure, illegal border crossings are nothing new—I’ve witnessed them myself over the years. But historically, such crossings were sporadic and involved small groups or individuals. That changed under policies that incentivized illegal entry on a massive scale. The question is: Why? Why would the U.S. government, which routinely denies over 90% of visa applications from individuals like those arriving en masse at the border, suddenly welcome them without documentation? Why were they provided with free housing, transportation, and healthcare while legal travelers were subjected to rigorous entry procedures?
I speak from experience. While I carried a U.S. diplomatic passport, I underwent secondary inspection every time I re-entered the U.S. from abroad—not to mention mandatory COVID tests and vaccines just to be allowed back into my own country. I have traveled to six of the seven continents, yet no other country subjected me to such scrutiny. Meanwhile, under the Biden administration, millions were allowed to cross the river illegally, remain in the U.S., and receive taxpayer-funded support—all while being ineligible for a visa. How does that make sense?
U.S. consulates throughout the developing world reject most visa applications because they deem the applicants to be “intending immigrants.” Yet we are expected to believe that those crossing illegally have no plans to stay. And what of Harris, the so-called border czar, who did nothing to curb this humanitarian and security disaster? In four years, she made just one heavily staged and sanitized visit to the border. Meanwhile, in less than a month, President Trump’s senior border security officials have not only visited the border but have actively implemented policies and allocated resources to restore order. Their swift action proves that the previous administration’s inaction was a choice—not an inevitability.
Now, the situation has shifted dramatically. The border is no longer a free-for-all. Immigration laws are being enforced again. The chaos has been replaced with order. The question now is whether the policies that have restored security and sovereignty will remain in place for the long term—or if political forces will seek to undo this newfound stability. One thing is certain: Eagle Pass, and communities like it, have already benefited from the change.
Despite the relentless spin from the legacy media and political opponents, the undeniable reality is that in less than 30 days since President Donald Trump took office, the catastrophic humanitarian and national security crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border has all but ended. The contrast is particularly striking in my hometown of Eagle Pass, TX, which had been ground zero for the previous administration’s border policies. Under Biden, tens of thousands from across the globe flooded through this small Hispanic town, facilitated in part by the now-defunct CBP One application, the U.S. government, and countless Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and charities.
When I was growing up in Eagle Pass, crossing between Texas and Mexico was routine and relatively hassle-free. Back then, the best restaurants and bars were on the Mexican side, while better shopping and cheaper gas were on the Texas side. Today, that dynamic has changed dramatically. Even if the restaurant scene in Mexico had remained more robust, few—including my family members—are willing to risk long waits, Mexican police harassment, and cartel violence just for a good meal.
Legal visitors still cross daily, filling supermarkets, gas stations, and department stores. These individuals, who come to shop, dine, and visit family, do so through proper channels, presenting passports or IDs upon entry. Yet for years, they shared these bridges with thousands of others who waded across the river illegally, often discarding their identification before crossing. Under the previous administration, this crisis was not only ignored but actively encouraged.
To be sure, illegal border crossings are nothing new—I’ve witnessed them myself over the years. But historically, such crossings were sporadic and involved small groups or individuals. That changed under policies that incentivized illegal entry on a massive scale. The question is: Why? Why would the U.S. government, which routinely denies over 90% of visa applications from individuals like those arriving en masse at the border, suddenly welcome them without documentation? Why were they provided with free housing, transportation, and healthcare while legal travelers were subjected to rigorous entry procedures?
I speak from experience. While I carried a U.S. diplomatic passport, I underwent secondary inspection every time I re-entered the U.S. from abroad—not to mention mandatory COVID tests and vaccines just to be allowed back into my own country. I have traveled to six of the seven continents, yet no other country subjected me to such scrutiny. Meanwhile, under the Biden administration, millions were allowed to cross the river illegally, remain in the U.S., and receive taxpayer-funded support—all while being ineligible for a visa. How does that make sense?
U.S. consulates throughout the developing world reject most visa applications because they deem the applicants to be “intending immigrants.” Yet we are expected to believe that those crossing illegally have no plans to stay. And what of Harris, the so-called border czar, who did nothing to curb this humanitarian and security disaster? In four years, she made just one heavily staged and sanitized visit to the border. Meanwhile, in less than a month, President Trump’s senior border security officials have not only visited the border but have actively implemented policies and allocated resources to restore order. Their swift action proves that the previous administration’s inaction was a choice—not an inevitability.
Now, the situation has shifted dramatically. The border is no longer a free-for-all. Immigration laws are being enforced again. The chaos has been replaced with order. The question now is whether the policies that have restored security and sovereignty will remain in place for the long term—or if political forces will seek to undo this newfound stability. One thing is certain: Eagle Pass, and communities like it, have already benefited from the change.
