During negotiations earlier this year in Washington, Democrats and Republicans worked on legislation to revamp the asylum system and enhance border security. In Cochise County, Ariz., a conservative stronghold, residents anxiously awaited the outcome.
The proposed bill aimed to secure more federal grant funding that had been assisting local leaders in accommodating and transporting migrants passing through the U.S.-Mexico border. However, the proposal was thwarted with the help of former President Donald J. Trump. Even some of President Biden’s staunch Republican critics in the area expressed disappointment.
Upon hearing about Mr. Biden’s recent actions to implement some of the asylum provisions from the failed legislation, both Republicans and Democrats in the region, where they often feel neglected, viewed it with skepticism.
Mayor Donald Huish of Douglas, a Republican, pondered whether any action was better than none.
“On one hand, I am happy to get any help we can get,” he said. “On the other, I wish they would just fix the problem.”
Kathleen Gomez, a former Democrat now turned Republican running for the county’s board of supervisors, described it as “a Band-Aid on a severed artery.”
The reaction in Cochise County reflects the political complexity of the border situation for Mr. Biden, especially as he gears up for re-election with a more restrictive immigration stance that he initially vowed to reverse.
Mr. Biden’s shift on immigration allows him to address a significant political vulnerability, as more American voters perceive the situation at the country’s southern border as a problem. Polls indicate that many trust Mr. Trump more than Mr. Biden to handle the issue.
However, in critical battlegrounds like Arizona, residents had mixed feelings about the executive order issued this week. Some praised Mr. Biden for attempting to address their concerns, while many remained doubtful about its impact on voters or its effectiveness in resolving long-standing issues.
Critics on the left accused Mr. Biden of playing into right-wing politics at a time when anti-immigrant rhetoric from Republicans has intensified. They viewed his actions as using migrants and their families for political gain.
In contrast, Biden campaign officials and supporters argue that the action is just one part of a broader effort to tackle a challenging problem that Republicans have been unwilling to help resolve. While the order aims to reduce illegal crossings, it includes exceptions for certain migrants, such as unaccompanied children and trafficking victims. Other initiatives by the Biden administration seek to expedite immigration case processing, enhance legal pathways into the country, and combat human trafficking and drug operations.
“President Biden understands that being president is about taking action on the issues that matter most to our communities,” said Kevin Muñoz, senior spokesman for the Biden campaign. “Despite Trump and his allies’ inaction, President Biden is taking action today.”
Some Democratic strategists view the latest move as a strategic and politically astute decision. They believe it could help mitigate the impact of immigration as a weapon wielded by Republicans and allow Mr. Biden and vulnerable Democratic candidates in swing states to present themselves as a party seeking solutions to the immigration crisis.
Matt Bennett, a co-founder of Third Way, a centrist organization, described Mr. Biden’s recent action as the final piece of the puzzle. Mr. Biden has already engaged in border visits with Mr. Trump, advocated for bipartisan legislation that Republicans have blocked, and now issued an executive order.
“He is demonstrating that he is doing everything within his power to address the issue,” Bennett stated.
However, some Democratic and Latino strategists cautioned that Mr. Biden must now work harder to differentiate himself from Mr. Trump on immigration.
While Mr. Biden’s tougher enforcement stance may appeal to left-leaning and independent voters in Midwestern states distant from the border, such as Wisconsin and Michigan, it may have a different reception in the Southwest. The actions and rhetoric resembling those of Mr. Trump could dampen turnout among younger Latinos, a demographic crucial for Democratic success in states like Arizona.
“They need to clearly articulate how this approach differs from what Donald Trump did,” said Kristian Ramos, an adviser to Way to Win, a progressive network.
In Cochise County, mayors like Mr. Huish faced escalating challenges as migrant numbers surged to record levels last year. The county, located in southeastern Arizona, became a key transit point.
Through federal funds provided via a county grant program, leaders could assist in transporting migrants to cities nationwide from various entry points. A local church converted into a shelter, and volunteers rallied to support the newcomers. This scenario mirrored similar efforts along the border and in other cities across the U.S., where ad hoc networks of individuals aided migrants.
Although illegal crossings from Mexico into the U.S. dropped by 50 percent in January, with over 124,000 encounters reported by border agents, counties like Cochise remain on edge.
Unlike the failed bipartisan legislation, the recent executive order does not allocate additional federal funding. Its impact in areas like Cochise County, where many migrants avoid official channels, remains uncertain.
Exiting Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Douglas, Esgardo Torres, a lifelong Democrat and public school custodian, expressed concern about the “crisis” at the border. He believed that heightened security measures had not effectively deterred individuals seeking a better life in the U.S., leading to increased law enforcement scrutiny and harassment for border residents.
“I’ve witnessed it firsthand — excessive law enforcement presence for apprehending one or two individuals,” said the 74-year-old.
Ann English, a conservative Democrat serving on the county supervisory board, criticized Mr. Biden’s order as likely to invite costly legal challenges. She viewed the situation as political theater.
Addressing fellow party members who opposed the administration’s new direction, Mayor Huish emphasized the need for constructive proposals.
“Don’t like it? Then suggest an alternative,” he stated with frustration, noting his intention to vote for Mr. Trump despite acknowledging Mr. Biden’s initiative.
