Mayorkas: COVID, Extreme Weather Are Part of Why Border Crossings Hit Record Last Year

So, I just read an interesting article about why there were so many border crossings last year, despite the pandemic and crazy weather. Basically, the Homeland Security chief, Alejandro Mayorkas, said that a combination of factors led to a record-high number of people crossing the border, both legally and illegally.

First off, COVID-19 was a big contributor. When the pandemic hit last year, a lot of people who were living and working in the United States went back to their home countries because they were afraid of getting sick or losing their jobs. But then, as things started to calm down a bit and the vaccine became available, a lot of those same people decided to come back, either because they missed their families or because they needed to make money. Plus, there were a lot of new job opportunities in construction and agriculture that opened up because so many Americans were working from home or lost their jobs.

But another big factor that I didn’t really think about before was the extreme weather we had last year. Remember those crazy hurricanes and wildfires? Well, a lot of people who lived in areas that were hit hard by those disasters decided to come to the U.S. for safety and protection.

Overall, the article was really eye-opening because it showed me how complicated and interconnected the issue of border crossings really is. It’s not just about people trying to sneak into the country - there are a lot of political, social, and environmental issues at play here.

Personally, I’ve never had to cross the border myself, but I have a few friends who immigrated to the U.S. from other countries, and I know how challenging it can be to navigate all the legal and bureaucratic hurdles that are involved. It makes me appreciate how lucky I am to be a citizen and to have been born here, where I don’t have to worry about being deported or separated from my family.

Overall, I think this topic is really important because it affects so many people’s lives, and there are a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes out there that need to be challenged and talked about. Whether you’re for or against immigration, it’s crucial to understand all the factors that are driving people to come to the U.S. in the first place, and to think about how we can create a more just and equitable system that works for everyone.