Alternate reality: MLG says everything is fine at border czar Kamala Harris’ border
In a Sunday appearance on “Face the Nation,” New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham faced scrutiny over her responses to questions about the state’s handling of the border crisis. Despite mounting evidence and concerns from residents and officials in other border states, Lujan Grisham’s defensive posture and dismissive remarks about the crisis have drawn significant criticism.
During the interview, Robert Costa questioned the governor about the Biden administration’s border policies and her role in addressing the issues. Lujan Grisham claimed, “Right now, border crossings are as low as they’ve ever been, certainly lower than they were in the Trump administration.”
This false assertion starkly contrasts with reports indicating ongoing challenges at the border, including increased encounters and a strain on local resources. The Center Square reported, “Accounting for all the data, including new ways the Biden administration is allowing foreign nationals to enter the country, the claims are verifiably false.”
Since Biden took power, at least 10 million illegal aliens have traveled illegally across the southern border. Since also since Biden took office in January 2021, fentanyl-related deaths have skyrocketed. In 2021 alone, there were over 71,000 deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. The crisis continued into 2022, with fentanyl being involved in nearly 70% of all drug overdose deaths, totaling approximately 73,838 deaths for the year.
However, Gov. Lujan Grisham has failed to take any measures to secure New Mexico’s border. Unlike all other border-state governors — Democrat and Republican — who have implemented stricter security protocols, Lujan Grisham has not committed to similar actions, leaving New Mexico vulnerable to the ramifications of inadequate border control. Her refusal to acknowledge the severity of the situation and to implement robust measures has been a point of contention.
When pressed about the need for more Border Patrol agents, Lujan Grisham deflected, attributing the lack of resources to Congressional inaction. She stated, “They [Republicans] did not do anything to pass a bipartisan border deal that put 1,500 more Border Patrol and 1,200 more ICE agents.” The so-called “deal” she referred to would have given mass amnesty to millions of criminal aliens entering the country illegally, a non-starter.
However, facts show that this response overlooks her administration’s responsibility in advocating for and securing necessary resources to protect the state and its residents due to her pulling of the National Guard from the border and refusal to consider legislation to assist with the humanitarian crisis, which has opened up a channel for deadly fentanyl to kill countless citizens.
She then praised Joe Biden’s border czar, Kamala Harris, saying, “Hispanic voters here want is a prosecutor who’s got a history in a border state dealing with border and immigration issues that can cause risk, like her prosecution successfully and transnational gangs on drugs and guns.”
“And this is the second time we’ve seen Trump and his cast of characters be really clear. They don’t want immigration reform. They want fear, they want division, they’re going to continue to demonize Hispanics and Latinos and immigrant communities. And you know what they see? They see someone who’s tough, fair, balanced, pragmatic, and somebody they can relate to in terms of her own family. That motivates Hispanic voters,” she added.
When asked about Harris being in charge of the border catastrophe, she said, “Well, as a straight shooter, thank you, Robert, and thank you, New Mexico voters. We have to be engaged in better diplomacy in Central America and South America. She did that very effectively.”
Lujan Grisham’s handling of the border issue is a stark disconnect from the realities faced by many in New Mexico and other border states. A recent FBI report noted the border crisis’ effect on higher crime in New Mexico. Her interview highlighted a concerning lack of urgency and proactive measures to address the complex challenges posed by the border crisis. This stance has led to growing frustration among constituents who feel that their concerns are being dismissed or minimized by state leadership.