Migrants were streaming across the U.S. southern border in record numbers, international rail bridges were abruptly shut down, and official ports of entry closed.
Desperate for help in December, President Biden called President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico, who advised him to quickly send a delegation to the Mexican capital, according to several U.S. officials.
The White House rushed to do so. Soon after, Mexico beefed up enforcement, resulting in illegal border crossings into the United States plummeting by January.
As immigration takes center stage in the U.S. presidential campaign, Mexico has become a crucial player on an issue that could influence the election, prompting the White House to work diligently to maintain Mr. López Obrador’s cooperation.
The administration publicly touts its diplomatic success.
However, behind closed doors, some senior Biden officials view Mr. López Obrador as an unpredictable partner. They believe he is not doing enough to consistently control his own southern border or police routes used by smugglers to bring millions of migrants to the United States, according to several U.S. and Mexican officials.
John Feeley, former deputy chief of mission in Mexico, expressed disappointment, stating that there is a lack of genuine cooperation compared to the Obama administration’s efforts.
President Donald J. Trump used tariff threats to compel Mr. López Obrador to implement his migration crackdown during his time in office.
While President Biden needs Mexico’s cooperation, he has taken a different approach, focusing on maintaining a positive relationship with Mr. López Obrador to secure his support.
Juan Gonzalez, Mr. Biden’s former top Latin America adviser, highlighted the leverage dynamics between the two leaders.
Despite Mexico’s increased immigration checkpoints and enforcement personnel since 2022, illegal border crossings remain high.
Migration has surged due to various uncontrollable factors, including poverty, violence, climate change, and the lingering effects of the pandemic.
Mexican officials attribute the influx to American policies, noting the backlog in the asylum system that incentivizes migrants to come to the United States.
Authorities in Tijuana have ramped up efforts to address the migrant crisis but have faced challenges in controlling the situation.
The White House has urged Mexico to increase deportations, implement visa restrictions, and bolster security forces at its southern border.
Despite Mexico’s efforts, truckloads of migrants continue to pass through the country, often due to smugglers bribing checkpoint authorities.
Deportations from Mexico have declined due to legal barriers and logistical challenges.
The White House has also pushed for more “decompression” efforts to transport migrants away from the border to prevent them from attempting the journey again.
Emiliano Rodríguez Mega contributed reporting from Mexico City and Aline Corpus from Tijuana.
