Bill Maher has recently vocalized his criticism towards the Democratic perspective on U.S. immigration policies under President Joe Biden, spotlighting the sharp rise in immigrant numbers.
Amid escalating figures, Joe Biden had to enforce stricter border and asylum regulations in 2024, Maher notes, Daily Mail reported.
The Congressional Budget Office projected in January 2024 that immigration during Biden's final two years as president would surpass 3 million annually. The report accounted for all immigrants, including lawful permanent residents, temporary visa holders, and unauthorized entrants. Actual data from the U.S. Census Bureau recorded nearly 2.8 million immigrants in 2024, a significant surge from any previous year, surpassing the highest peak of 1.8 million back in 2005.
Bill Maher's scrutiny of these figures comes as December 2023 saw nearly 250,000 migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border—the highest recorded in any single month. This starkly contrasts with the highest monthly figures recorded during President Donald Trump’s first term, when officials noted 132,856 encounters in May 2019. Maher expressed his concern with the phrase, "Democrats can say they weren't for open borders but it sure looks like someone left the gate unlocked," highlighting the challenges faced under Biden's administration despite previous differing political strategies.
Trump's approach to border control included declaring a national emergency, enhancing vetting processes for visa applicants, and the reinforcement of physical barriers and military support to curb unauthorized crossings. He further emphasized his tough stance on immigration by signing the Laken Riley Act, which mandates the detention of unauthorized immigrants accused of crimes. The act, named after a young victim murdered by an illegal immigrant, highlights his position on the issue.
Under President Biden, as the number of migrants swelled, he signed an executive order in June 2024 to close the border if crossings exceeded 2,500 a day, also restricting asylum claims from Mexico. This decision marked a significant shift in the administration's approach to handling immigration, aligning more closely with some of the restrictive measures previously seen during the Trump administration.
While Trump attempted to end birthright citizenship via an executive order, his efforts were blocked as unconstitutional by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour, and the matter spurred lawsuits from 22 states, expecting to advance to the Supreme Court. Trump had also initiated a substantial deportation program immediately after taking office, reflecting his administration's stringent immigration agenda.
Maher's comments reflect a broader skepticism about the Democratic claims of not supporting open borders, especially when confronted with the substantial upticks in migrant numbers. "Liberals can't explain away Joe Biden's record on immigration when data shows there were many more people who came to the US under his tenure," he argued, pointing out the practical implications of liberal immigration policies during Biden’s presidency.
This discussion surfaces amid ongoing debates over the U.S. immigration policy's direction, especially as the number of migrants has consistently set new records. The increasing migrant encounters and Biden's subsequent policy shift suggest a complex balancing act between maintaining open-door policies and ensuring border security.
Jose Antonio Ibarra, the convict in the Laken Riley murder case, was sentenced to life without parole, underscoring the sometimes tragic human stories behind the statistics of illegal immigration. These incidents are often used in political narratives to justify more stringent immigration controls and are central to the debates surrounding national security and human rights.
As this debate continues, the U.S. remains a focal point for massive migration flows, driven by turmoil and economic prospects in south and Central America. Maher emphasizes this by stating, "There are half a billion people in south and central America, we can't take them all," pointing to the sheer scale of potential migration and the practical limitations of any country's ability to absorb new populations.
Bill Maher’s critical stance and the ongoing shifts in immigration policy under Biden reflect an evolving political and public discourse on how best to manage U.S. borders and immigration. The implications of these policies are significant, affecting the lives of millions and shaping the demographic fabric of the nation for decades to come.
As the U.S. grapples with these issues, it becomes clear that immigration is not just a matter of numbers but a complex interplay of policies, perceptions, and political will, each influencing the other in the administration of national security and humanitarian responsibilities.
