To the Editor:

On July 8, 2020, National Public Radio (NPR) unveiled the “Biden-Sanders Unity Task Force Recommendations” based upon the manifesto they entered into in May of that year. "The goals of the task force were to move the Biden campaign into as progressive a direction as possible, and I think we did that," Sanders told NPR." The agreement covers a slew of tasks which has set the tone for the Biden Administration.

In 2019 Biden stated, "I would in fact make sure that there is immediately a surge to the border. They deserve to be heard. That's who we are. "We're a nation that says, 'You want to flee, and you're fleeing oppression, you should come.'” When pressured about his comment “you should come” Biden stated, "Well, here's the deal: they're not. The adults are being sent back, number one. Number two, what do you do with an unaccompanied child that comes to the border?”

With respect to the agreement, it allows known criminals to cross the border “... without regard to the facts and circumstances of their cases...”.

Many come here fleeing the violence or political upheaval in their country, or are looking for economic opportunities their countries cannot offer. While I believe the Immigration and Nationality Act needs to be addressed, the current system cannot handle the influx. And pouring money on the problem doesn’t solve the effect they have on our nation. The Act, as well as the federal budget, addresses the allowance of 140,000 legal immigrants a year.

According to Pew Research Center, in December 2023 alone, the border patrol encountered 250,000 migrants; the highest monthly total to date, which is greater than the 224,000 who came in May 2022. Since he took office 7.2 million have come to America. As a result of the border crises, the 140,000 who have worked and waited to come here legally have been shuttered from entrance.

One fact in Biden’s favor is the boost in the labor force has helped the US economy, helping us stave off a recession. The numbers coming boosted labor supply and therefore the job gains. Yet there isn’t a state, and possibly any local community, who realizes they are not able to provide the shelter or public services to such a large number of new people.

It’s not just the fact they’re coming illegally, it’s the sheer number we cannot handle. As a nation, and in turn a state, we don’t have the financing or infrastructure to handle this crisis.

Next month let’s debate the state of the economy.

Until then, Happy Easter.

Patti Walker
Fillmore, Ca