It’s a tough day for the media when they have to report a story that directly contradicts their narrative, especially when it’s related to the crisis at the southern border. While the Democrats in Congress visited migrant detention centers in an effort to paint Customs and Border Patrol as evil oppressors of immigrants, a South American politician did something unexpected: He told the truth.
No, Hell has not frozen over, nor are there pigs flying in the sky. Sometimes politicians do tell the truth, even when it doesn’t benefit them.
Left-leaning news outlets recently attempted to use the deaths of a migrant father and his daughter to attack the Trump administration for its stance on illegal immigration. In their reports, the press essentially blamed the president for the tragedy. Unfortunately for them, the president of El Salvador, the home country of the migrants in question, turned their narrative upside down.
Nayib Bukele
El Salvadoran President Takes Responsibility
In a recent press conference, El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele told reporters what he believes is the true cause of the migrants’ fate. “People don’t flee their homes because they want to,” he said. “They flee their homes because they feel they have to.”
Then, he delivered a blunt pronouncement: “It is our fault.”
Taking responsibility for a tragedy is not common for politicians in any country, but it appears that Bukele was not interested in passing blame. Indeed, the poor conditions in which South Americans live drive many to try to gain entry into the United States through both legal and illegal means. While progressives contend that the various caravans to the southern border are made up primarily of people fleeing violence and persecution, the truth is that many, if not most, are looking for better jobs.
Bukele’s admission highlights the reality that South American governments have done little to prevent mass immigration to the United States. This is partly because individuals who travel to the United States typically send the money they earn in the U.S. back to their families in their home countries, which provides a benefit to these nations. Indeed, Salvadorans sent almost $5.5 billion to El Salvador in 2018.
But now, it appears the country’s government is changing its tune. After the death of the two migrants, the president seems determined to improve economic and safety conditions in his country to encourage its citizens to remain. Moreover, he also stated that he wishes to improve relations with the U.S., hoping that the administration will help rebuild the country.
But What About the Narrative?
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has criticized the governments of several South American nations for their refusal to discourage illegal entry into the United States. It appears that some are finally coming around. Mexico recently sent 15,000 troops to its southern border to prevent migrants from reaching the U.S. after the president threatened to raise tariffs on Mexican imports.
But the crisis at the border still persists, and migrants are still making the dangerous trek. The Democrats and their allies in the legacy media have pointed the finger of blame at the White House, using migrant deaths to smear the administration. But Bukele’s remarks have exposed one of the real causes of the emergency situation.
It is also important to point out the fact that the Democrats have been reticent to ensure that the migrants in detention centers receive the necessary amenities. The House recently passed a bill to provide $4.5 billion in emergency funding for the detention centers, but this came after the Democrats voted down similar legislation. Others condemned Wayfair for selling beds to detention centers for migrant children. As the saying goes, “never let a crisis go to waste.” In this case, many on the left are attempting to worsen the crisis because of its usefulness as a political weapon against the GOP.
The Democrats’ efforts at persuasion in this matter are likely to work only on members of their base who want to believe the worst about the country’s immigration policies and those charged with enforcing them. Most should be able to see that the Democrats are exacerbating the crisis, not helping to solve the problem, and their plans could backfire as the 2020 election approaches.
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