Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently traveled to the United States and Mexico border and said the current situation is unacceptable. Kennedy said the Biden administration has made the problem worse and provided his own plan to solve the border crisis, according to several posts on X, formerly Twitter..
“Democrats and Republicans can agree that the humanitarian nightmare that has resulted from essentially handing immigration policy to the drug cartels is unacceptable," Kennedy said in an Aug. 7 X post. "We need to take back control.”
He continued with another post, saying, "Biden administration policy has greatly exacerbated the situation. The border is out of control. Immigration is being administered by the cartels, not our government."
According to a May 25 New York Post report, cartels often exploit migrants by offering illegal border passage for a fee, aiming to bypass potential bans. The report revealed the dangers of this route, such as migrants being coerced into drug smuggling, human trafficking and extreme measures like amputation for unpaid fees.
Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., addressed the issue of the colored wristbands used by the cartels to track immigrants, according to Federal Newswire. The Federalist reported on these wristbands in 2021, and said the cartels use advanced techniques such as this for monitoring border crossings.
Migrants wear wristbands with unique numbers, linking to a database with personal info like names, contact details, U.S. destination and family information, Federal Newswire reported. The wristbands also aid payment tracking if payments are delayed. Cammack said if immigrants are not wearing a wristband when they cross, “the cartels will take a limb, like an arm or leg."
“Ruthless criminal cartels have woven drugs, immigration and human trafficking together into a multi-billion dollar business,” Kennedy continued on X.
Kennedy added, “Our policy will be first, to get the border under control. Second, to work with other countries to stem the tide of migrants. Third, to fully fund and prioritize the administrative infrastructure for lawful, orderly immigration to this country,” according to another X post.
Kennedy noted preventable border issues due to damaged infrastructure, according to News Nation.
“At that point, it became a business proposition for the cartels,” Kennedy said to News Nation. “It’s become a multibillion dollar business every month, smuggling people across.”
He also emphasized the need for better relations with Mexico and Central America, and proposed a mix of physical barriers, improved surveillance and revamped regulations for migrants, News Nation reported. He supported detention measures to counter the lure of cartels driven by a perceived open border.
“What we’re doing now is much more inhumane,” he said to News Nation. “It has become an invitation to other people to take this huge risk to get into this country because it’s a signal that it’s an open door.”
