GOP encounters the encounters in border crisis

NEWS AND OPINION:

The Republican National Committee continues to track the ongoing arrival of unauthorized visitors to the U.S.

The committee tells Inside the Beltway that 189,372 illegal immigrants were encountered attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in March alone, marking the 37th straight month of President Biden‘s tenure in office that such encounters have exceeded 150,000.

“Joe Biden’s wide-open border has brought unacceptable rates of migrant crime into American communities across the country. With droves of illegal immigrants facing charges of human trafficking, murder, and sexual assault, it is no wonder that Americans are fed up with Biden’s open border policies,” said Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.

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“Democrat policies put illegal immigrants first, and Americans last,” he said.

“But President Trump will end Biden’s border bloodbath and make America safe again on day one,” Mr. Whatley added.

There are some eyebrow-raising numbers to consider, presented by the Republican National Committee based on data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“With roughly 6,300 daily encounters, this dwarfs the definition of a ‘crisis’ set by President Obama’s DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson when he said in 2019 that more than 1,000 encounters a day ‘overwhelms’ the immigration system. March’s 189,000-plus encounters is a 269% increase from the average number of March apprehensions during the Trump administration,” the report said.

“More than 9.4 million illegal immigrants have crossed the border since Biden took office,” it stated, an average of 5,000 illegal immigrants are being released into the U.S. every day.

KENNEDY ON THE MOVE

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has revealed that his campaign has gained ballot access in Michigan. Mr. Kennedy was nominated for president and running mate Nicole Shanahan for vice president by the Natural Law Party in Michigan, according to the candidate’s campaign.

“Michigan is proving to be one of the closest swing states of the 2024 presidential election. A Times/Siena poll of six key battlegrounds placed Kennedy at 26% in Michigan, within single digits of the lead,” Mr. Kennedy‘s campaign said in a statement.

He has one appeal in particular.

“Kennedy is good for Michigan,” said Bill Costantino, who is regional coordinator for the candidate in western Michigan.

“As an environmental champion for more than 40 years, Kennedy will work to restore our Great Lakes region, which holds 20% of the world’s freshwater. He will ensure a thriving fishing economy and ecosystem for commercial fishermen and individual anglers,” Mr. Costantino said in a statement.

Mr. Kennedy, by the way, is already on the ballot in Utah and has collected the necessary signatures to be on the ballot in New Hampshire, Nevada, Hawaii, North Carolina, Idaho, Nebraska and Iowa.

His campaign has launched a “robust ballot access plan” to ensure the Kennedy-Shanahan ticket is on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kennedy plans to celebrate his ballot access to Michigan on Sunday by hosting “A Night of Laughter,” a comedy show at the historic Royal Oak Theater near Detroit. Built in 1928, the former movie palace was also home of a vaudeville theater back in the day — and now hosts such performers as Adele and Elvis Costello.

Find Mr. Kennedy‘s campaign at Kennedy24.org.

MONITORING THE LEFT

The Heritage Foundation is taking on the left-leaning population in the political realm with a distinct pair of public programs.

On Monday, the organization will feature an appearance by former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who will formally introduce in the U.S. her new book, “Ten Years to Save the West: Leading the Revolution Against Globalism, Socialism, and the Liberal Establishment.”

The author will share her decade of service at the highest levels of the British government — where she encountered the dangerous schemes of global left leaders poised to “push their corporate state-socialism on the world,” according to advance notes on the event.

Another program follows on April 30 — this one titled “Defunding the Left: The Strategy to Save America” — which features a six-person panel that includes Rep. Chip Roy, Texas Republican.

“The left has been pushing their destructive agenda on the American people for years — and the United States government is funding it. Join us for a discussion with conservative leaders about why defunding the left is imperative if we hope to protect traditional American values,” the host organization said, also in advance notes for the event.

Curious? Consult Heritage.org and consult the “Events” pull-down menu.

WEEKEND REAL ESTATE

For sale: The West House, a midcentury modern house built in 1948 and designed by architect Rodney Walker in Pacific Palisades, California. Two bedrooms, three baths, open-plan living and dining areas, den, 11-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, ocean views; 1,701 square feet. Grand but simply designed fireplace, natural wood and tiles, “indoor-outdoor garden room” plus attached two-car garage. Brick patios on all sides, terraced grounds, generous yard. Property listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Priced at $8.9 million through CrosbyDoe.com.

POLL DU JOUR

• 43% of registered U.S. voters would vote for former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical match involving him, President Biden and independent candidates.

• 39% would vote for Mr. Biden.

• 8% would vote for independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

• 1% would vote for independent candidate Cornel West.

• 1% would vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein.

• 7% are undecided about the issue.

SOURCE: An Emerson College survey of 1,308 registered U.S. voters conducted online and by telephone April 16-17.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse. Contact her at jharper@washingtontimes.com.