Border Crisis Intensifies: San Luis, Arizona at the Epicenter of National Debate Ahead of 2024 Elections

San Luis, Arizona: A Deep Dive into the Border Conversations

San Luis, Arizona, is at the heart of a heated debate as the U.S.-Mexico border becomes a central talking point in the upcoming elections. This issue has dominated conversations for three consecutive election cycles, with candidates promising to roll out various plans to tackle it. But before diving into the opinions and proposals swirling around, it’s essential to sift through some facts regarding the contentious border.

Understanding the Numbers

At the forefront of border management is U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency responsible for enforcing federal policies and keeping track of the movements across the border. The statistics can be quite mind-boggling, but they provide valuable insights. When we discuss “total encounters,” we refer to the total instances where immigration officials interact with individuals at the border. This encompasses those who are apprehended, those denied entry, and those expelled immediately. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Title 42 was enacted, allowing agents to quickly send individuals back across the border for health safety reasons.

Looking back, from 2016 to 2020, total encounters generally hovered between 300,000 to 400,000 each year. However, in a surprising twist, 2019 saw a spike with over 850,000 encounters. Fast forward to 2021, and the number skyrocketed to a jaw-dropping rate of over 1.7 million! The subsequent years weren’t any better, with 2022 and 2023 each witnessing around 2.4 million encounters. Though 2024 marked a slight decline to about 2.1 million, these figures still rank among the highest in history.

Sneaking in Undetected

There’s an important statistic that’s often overlooked: the count of “known getaways.” These are individuals who managed to cross the border without ever coming into contact with agents. Under Trump’s administration, this figure was relatively stable at around 10,000 to 15,000 monthly. However, that number shot up under President Biden, with the highest monthly total approaching 75,000 in March 2023. As Title 42 unraveled in mid-2023, fewer people opted to avoid detection, leading to a decrease in known getaways.

The Bigger Picture

Pew Research Center estimates that, as of 2022, there are approximately 11 million unauthorized migrants living in the U.S.; a big jump from a previous estimate of around 10.2 million in 2019. The magnitude of this issue stretches far beyond the border, impacting regions like Knoxville, Tennessee, and drawing attention from local leaders.

Voices from Knoxville

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs paid a visit to the southern border in February, advocating for the relevance of border policy in Knoxville. U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger highlighted how the opioid crisis in East Tennessee correlates with border management, explaining that illicit drugs often seep into the state due to inadequate border security.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has sounded the alarm over rising opioid addiction and overdose cases, further amplifying concerns that border policies have direct and dire consequences at home. “As a matter of national security, we must secure our borders,” Harshbarger emphasized.

Student Perspectives

As the discussions unfold, students from the University of Tennessee are not shy about expressing their views. Political science freshman Luke Hattler believes “we all have a moral obligation to oppose dehumanizing policies,” referring to the harsher immigration practices in recent years. He speaks passionately against separating families at the border.

Meanwhile, junior Elijah Boatwright shares his frustration regarding the current administration’s border policies, stating, “It’s in shambles right now under the Biden-Harris administration.” Others, like Colin Burgess, raise the issue of economics, arguing that an influx of immigrants could drive up prices and create job competition.

What Comes Next?

The debates surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border are set to escalate further as we near the 2024 presidential election. With clear divisions in opinion, every voice—whether from politicians or students—is essential in shaping the narrative. As San Luis becomes a focal point in the national conversation, understanding the intricacies and implications of border policies is more important than ever. It’s not just a distant issue; it’s one that may affect us all, even here in Knoxville.