To the editor:

Remember the chant “no border, no wall, sanctuary for all”? It has become a reality. President Biden has opened our southern border to perhaps millions of illegal immigrants, making our border a magnet for drugs, criminals, human and sex trafficking, threatening the safety and security of our country. Then will come “chain migration” whereby any relative will be allowed to join those already here.

President Trump, no matter what you thought of him, was gaining control of illegal entry at the border by his agreement with Mexico to keep those asking for asylum until they could be processed, by discontinuing “catch and release”, the practice of releasing an illegal immigrant who promises to attend a hearing in an immigration court (yeah right), by the effort of Mexican authorities to reduce the flow of illegals coming across their own southern border, and, yes, by construction of the wall. Poor planning and the urgency to work at “warp speed” to undo anything connected to Trump has created an out-of-control crisis on our southern border.

Biden would have you believe Trump’s policies were not working. According to a report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, there were 36,687 border crossers in February 2020. In February 2021 (the first full month of Biden’s border policies) 100,441 crossed, a 174% increase. But the growing numbers are not considered a crisis by the Biden administration. How many being released into the country are carrying the COVID virus and are exposing others? I mean really, we open our southern border to thousands of people to enter our country…during a pandemic? Stupid is as stupid does.

We live sheltered lives in Iowa. Imagine if you lived near the southern border of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, or California and watch as thousands of illegal immigrants and migrants cross the border and the burden they put on your border community until they are transported north. The long-term effect on our country will be the overwhelming of school systems (via free education) and medical facilities (via free health care), and the need to provide food, clothing and a place to live.

Some would say our country should be a safe haven for those who are fleeing violence or poverty in their home country. Tell me how many millions from around the world we should provide refuge for…1 million, 2 million, 3 million a year? It’s too easy to simply walk across the border, claim to be a victim (with little or no proof), ask for asylum, and be released into our country.

Until recently the press was not allowed into detention facilities at the border and then one camera was allowed, but only where the Biden folks wanted it to be. How convenient. At Biden’s press conference last week one reporter asked about permitting journalists access to the overcrowded facilities at the border. Biden promised to be more transparent, then said, “I will commit to transparency and as soon as I am in a position to be able to implement what we are doing right now.”

Translation: you will get your transparency when the problem of inhumane overcrowding is taken care of and then we will let you in to see just how great of a job we are doing.

If you want to know the extent of the crisis at our southern border, watch Fox News.

Chuck Peterson

Fort Dodge