Leaders of US and Mexico announce plans to crack down on illegal immigration, according to reports | Global News

The United States and Mexico have announced plans to crack down on illegal immigration at their shared border, with leaders from both countries pledging to disrupt irregular crossings that have surged in recent years.

In a phone conversation on Sunday, U.S. President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador agreed to take immediate steps to reduce illegal crossings while also addressing the economic and security issues that drive people to migrate.

“In the short term, the two leaders ordered their national security teams to work together to implement concrete measures to significantly reduce irregular border crossings while protecting human rights,” the leaders said in a joint statement.

Biden, who is seeking re-election in the upcoming November election, has taken a tougher stance on border security as immigration has become a top concern among American voters. However, his approach has faced criticism from Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, for rolling back Trump-era policies and failing to stem the flow of illegal crossings.

The White House is considering using Biden’s executive authority to block migrants at the border, a move that could face legal challenges and backlash from some Democrats. Additionally, discussions are underway to provide temporary legal status and work permits to immigrants in the U.S. illegally who are married to American citizens.

Mexico has also played a role in reducing border crossings by implementing social programs in other Latin American countries from where migrants originate. Both U.S. and Mexican officials have credited increased enforcement by Mexico as a factor contributing to the decrease in crossings.

The efforts to clamp down on illegal immigration come as the U.S. Border Patrol reported a monthly record of 250,000 migrants crossing illegally in December, with numbers dropping to 137,000 arrests in March. The collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico signals a joint commitment to address the complex issue of illegal immigration at their shared border.