Overview:

Melissa Ford Maldonado, Policy Director, Secure and Sovereign Frontier at the Texas Public Policy Foundation wrote in her February 1, 2024 commentary piece that President Biden's appeasement of authoritarian regimes in South America is fueling the U.S. migrant crisis. She specifically points to the Biden administration's lifting of oil and gas sanctions on Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro in exchange for holding free and fair elections. She argues that they have not held up their end of the bargain, and that over 7.3 million Venezuelans have fled the country and are now the fastest growing immigrant group in the U.S. seeking refuge.

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Key Quotes:

• "Not only does President Biden refuse to acknowledge this trend, but he’s shown how quick he is to bow to authoritarian leaders on matters big and small to avoid getting on their bad side on an election year."
• "Collaborating with cruel and regimes not only empowers oppressive dictatorships but also jeopardizes stability, security, and prosperity in these nations, impacting U.S. border security. The consequence of entrenching criminal regimes is a surge in illegal immigration, increased drug, arms, and human trafficking, increased humanitarian abuses, and, tragically, unnecessary loss of life at the U.S.-Mexico border."