The Morning: Mexico’s immigration crackdown

Plus, children's online safety, campaign funding and Apple's new headset.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story February 1, 2024 By David Leonhardt Good morning. We're covering Mexico's immigration crackdown — as well as children's online safety, campaign funding and Apple's new headset. Mexico's president meets with the U.S. secretary of state. Fernando Llano/Associated Press Government isn't powerless On the Thursday before Christmas, President Biden called Mexico's president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and asked for help. The number of migrants crossing into the U.S. — about 10,000 per day — had reached the highest level of Biden's presidency. The surge was creating major problems, including lockdowns at a New Mexico high school where migrants were streaming across the grounds and the closure of a rail bridge over the Rio Grande that carried commercial goods. López Obrador responded by telling Biden to send a delegation of top officials to visit him in Mexico City. The next week, that delegation, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, arrived for talks. Partly in response, Mexico soon began to enforce its own immigration laws more strictly, making it harder for migrants from other countries to use Mexico as a route to the U.S. Among other things, López Obrador's government has increased deportations of migrants to their home countries and disrupted bus networks run by cartels that funnel migrants from other countries toward the U.S. border. The crackdown has made a noticeable difference, too. Migration flows at the U.S.-Mexico border fell more than 50 percent in early January, according to data that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency released last week. The numbers have since risen somewhat, officials have told me, but are still well below the December levels. Mexico's crackdown doesn't come close to solving the migration problem, of course. Illegal immigration remains far higher than it was in the 2010s. Many migrants now believe that they will be able to remain in the U.S. for years, so long as they reach the border — regardless of what of the law says. Voters are unhappy about the situation. So are mayors and governors from both parties who are struggling with housing and social services. Nonetheless, Mexico's recent efforts offer a reminder: Stricter enforcement of immigration laws really does tend to reduce migration flows. Cost vs. benefit That point may seem obvious, but it's one that many politicians from both parties question. In recent days, House Republicans and Donald Trump have criticized the outlines of a bipartisan Senate deal that would significantly tighten border security. Trump suggested it was "worse than no border deal." (The most plausible explanation for his stance is politics — namely, that continuing border chaos could increase his chances of beating Biden in November.) Many progressive Democrats, for their part, argue that border security is ineffective at stopping illegal immigration. The way to make a difference, they say, is to reduce poverty and oppression in other countries and to make people less interested in moving to the U.S. But the evidence belies these arguments. The security of the border both directly and indirectly affects migration flows. In the short term, a less porous border allows fewer people to enter the U.S. For example, the migrants whom Mexico recently deported — including some who had arrived by airplane from outside the Western Hemisphere — might otherwise have made it to the U.S. Longer term, a more secure border changes the calculation for people contemplating a harrowing journey toward the U.S. If entry to the U.S. — a far richer country than most — seems likely, many more people will attempt it. If it seems unlikely, the costs of the journey will dissuade more. Biden's novelty Mexico's recent crackdown is merely the latest evidence of this pattern. Biden's presidency is an even bigger example. In response to Trump's extreme opposition to immigration — including his lies and racist insults about immigrants — Biden and other Democrats moved far in the other direction. As The Economist recently wrote, Trump "radicalized" some Democrats on immigration. The party's 2020 platform said nothing about border security and was devoted largely to making entry into the U.S. easier, mostly through legal pathways but also by going easier on illegal immigration. I want to emphasize that most Americans have long believed, and still believe, that their country should be a haven for people fleeing political repression. The Biden administration's approach has gone further, however. In the name of humanitarianism, it has broadened policies that were historically focused on political refugees, changing them to admit more migrants who are attracted to the U.S.'s high living standards. "What's novel about the Biden years has been the vastly expanded use of parole and asylum in boosting immigration by those who could not hope to get through normal legal channels," John Judis has written for the Liberal Patriot newsletter. In response, migration jumped far above the levels during Trump's or Barack Obama's presidencies. (Social media videos, showing migrants who have made it to the U.S., also play a role, my colleague Miriam Jordan points out. Her latest article focuses on migrants' belief — often accurate — that the country's dysfunctional asylum system will allow them to stay indefinitely.) A new approach In recent months, Biden has begun to change his initial approach, recognizing the problems with a more open border. Last week, he promised to "to shut down the border" if Congress passed a bill that allowed him to do so. It remains unclear whether Republicans will agree to such a deal — or, mostly for political reasons, will choose to let the problem fester. Without a deal, Biden is likely to look for ways within current law to tighten border security. They exist but are more limited. Either way, the Biden administration appears to be on the verge of doing the same thing that it recently urged Mexico to do: enforce existing immigration laws more tightly. For more House Republicans accuse Alejandro Mayorkas, Biden's homeland security secretary, of breaking the law by failing to enforce immigration rules. But federal law gives the administration broad discretion over border policy. Read how Biden has struggled to enact his immigration plans and failed to manage a rise in arrivals. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT THE LATEST NEWS Online Safety Hearing Mark Zuckerberg addresses the families of child abuse victims. Kenny Holston/The New York Times In a contentious hearing, senators from both parties pressured executives from Meta, X, TikTok, Discord and Snap to apologize for their companies' role in harming children. Senators told the executives that their products were "killing people," and that the companies had "blood on your hands." Read takeaways from the hearing. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's chief executive, stood to address abuse victims' families in the hearing room. "I'm sorry for everything you have all been through," he said. Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican, repeatedly pressed the C.E.O. of TikTok, Shou Chew, about his ties to the Chinese government. Chew, who is from Singapore, denied any connection. 2024 Elections Biden's campaign is beating Trump's in fund-raising, with about $46 million in cash on hand at the end of 2023 compared with $33 million for Trump. Nikki Haley's campaign entered 2024 with more than $14 million, enough for a prolonged race. Ron DeSantis's failed presidential campaign cost more than $160 million — that's about $6,800 per vote received. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, the Arizona independent, hasn't said whether she will seek another term. She's running out of time. "Don't get involved in politics!": Fox News hosts are warning Taylor Swift not to endorse Biden for re-election. (Swift hasn't said anything about endorsing.) More on Politics The House passed a bill that would expand the child tax credit and revive Trump-era corporate tax breaks. The bill — rare bipartisan legislation in an election year — moves to the Senate. John Podesta, a longtime Democratic adviser, will replace John Kerry as Biden's top climate envoy. Tennessee and Virginia sued the N.C.A.A., saying that it has no right to block wealthy boosters from paying to attract college athletic recruits. Many athletes at the New College of Florida, recruited to play sports, had no idea they were part of Ron DeSantis's attack on "woke ideology." Then the semester began. Israel-Hamas War In Khuza'a, Gaza.  Hatem Ali/Associated Press See videos and photos of Israel's controlled demolitions, which are razing entire neighborhoods in Gaza. The U.N. told donors that funding for its main agency in Gaza is essential to the survival of millions of civilians. Israel has accused some of the agency's employees of aiding Hamas. "You wrote a book on genocide": USAID staff confronted Samantha Power, the head the agency, about her stance on Gaza, The Washington Post reports. Volunteers for an Israeli charity that supports Palestinians were killed on Oct. 7. The group is grappling with how to move forward. Other Big Stories Federal Reserve officials held interest rates steady and suggested they wanted inflation to ease before lowering borrowing costs. Stocks fell. The F.B.I. director said that Chinese hackers plan to target U.S. power and water systems if a conflict breaks out over Taiwan. Specialists Kennedy Sanders and Breonna Moffett, two of the U.S. troops killed in a drone attack in Jordan, were young Black women who spoke proudly of the life they had made in the Army. The Messenger, a national news startup that launched less than a year ago, is closing down after losing most of its investment funding. Criminal summonses ignored, long wait lists for therapists: Maine is failing to provide enough help to troubled youth. American students are recovering from the pandemic, but new data shows school districts are improving at different rates. See how yours is doing. Opinions The trial against the parents of a Michigan school shooter has less to do with justice and more to do with finding someone to blame, Megan Stack writes. Here are columns by Gail Collins on Dean Phillips's presidential campaign and Thomas Friedman on the U.S. and the Middle East. Discover more of the insight you value in The Morning. The Times is filled with information and inspiration every day. So gain unlimited access to everything we offer — and save with this introductory offer. MORNING READS Sheer sock, chunky shoe combo. Alycee Byrd for The New York Times Style: Millennials don't know what to wear. Gen Z, defining cool on TikTok, has thoughts. Finds: An exceptionally well-preserved gauntlet from the 14th century turned up in an archaeological dig near a Swiss castle. Vision Pro: Apple's new headset made our technology columnist feel "genuine wonder." But at $3,500, he also wonders who'll buy it. Mystery: An explorer claims to have found Amelia Earhart's lost plane. Lives Lived: Anne Edwards published best-selling books about Katharine Hepburn, Judy Garland and Ronald Reagan, among others. Kirkus Reviews called her "the queen of biography." Edwards died at 96. SPORTS N.F.L.: The Seattle Seahawks hired Mike Macdonald, the Ravens' defensive coordinator, as the league's youngest head coach. Caitlin Clark: The Iowa superstar jumped two spots in one game to reach No. 2 on the all-time women's college basketball scoring list with 35 points in a win. She's projected to become No. 1 next month. Gio Reyna: The young American soccer star is heading to the English Premier League on loan to Nottingham Forest, where he should see expanded playing time. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT ARTS AND IDEAS A Hello Kitty installation at Somerset House. David Parry/Press Association for Somerset House Kawaii: "Cute," a new exhibition in London, has porcelain dolls and an array of Hello Kitty merchandise. But the show is more than a collection of cute commodities: It explores the power of apparently powerless things and the fantasies that cuteness enables. More on culture Nelson Mandela's daughter wanted to auction his belongings. South Africa's government filed court papers to stop her. The Rubin Museum in Manhattan will close after two decades of championing art from around the Himalayas. Late night hosts talked about Trump's attacks on Taylor Swift. THE MORNING RECOMMENDS … Craig Lee for The New York Times Dip a grilled cheese into a simple yet satisfying tomato soup. Prevent exercise injuries with these three tips. Drink better-tasting water with this under-sink filter. Try an espresso machine for beginners. Reduce Super Bowl broadcasting delays. GAMES Here is today's Spelling Bee. Yesterday's pangram was ladybug. And here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle, Sudoku and Connections. Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. — David Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at themorning@nytimes.com. Continue reading the main story Editor: David Leonhardt Deputy Editor: Adam B. Kushner News Editor: Tom Wright-Piersanti News Staff: Desiree Ibekwe, Lauren Jackson, Sean Kawasaki-Culligan, Brent Lewis, German Lopez, Ian Prasad Philbrick, Ashley Wu News Assistant: Lyna Bentahar Saturday Writer: Melissa Kirsch Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Morning newsletter from The New York Times, or as part of your New York Times account. To stop receiving The Morning, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. 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