VP Vance to Visit Border Amid Trump Immigration Crackdown

Yesterday at 9:25 am

2305 posts

VP Vance to Visit Border Amid Trump Immigration Crackdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ morning Edition/ Vice President JD Vance will visit Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday to showcase the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies. Joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and DNI Tulsi Gabbard, Vance will tour Shelby Park, a focal point in the border security debate. The trip comes as arrests for illegal crossings have dropped, though experts credit Mexico’s enforcement measures and Biden-era asylum restrictions. Meanwhile, Trump’s 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and plans for mass deportations remain controversial.

Vice President JD Vance followed by Senate members, walks to the House Chamber before President Donald Trump addresses to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Vance’s Border Visit: Quick Look

Trump’s Policies: Crackdown on illegal immigration, mass deportations begin.
Border Security: Military presence increased, new detention sites activated.
Tariffs on Mexico: Justified as a measure to stop smuggling.
Declining Crossings: Sharp drop in arrests since December 2023.
Venezuelan Deportations?: Trump considers 1798 law for mass removals.
Shelby Park Controversy: Site seized by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Vance to Visit U.S.-Mexico Border to Spotlight Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

Vance’s First Border Trip as Vice President

Vice President JD Vance will visit Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday, making him the highest-ranking Trump administration official to tour the U.S.-Mexico border so far.

Joining him will be:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard

Their visit is meant to highlight the administration’s tougher border security measures, including military deployments and mass deportation efforts.

Why Eagle Pass?

Eagle Pass has become a major flashpoint in the immigration debate, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott seizing control of Shelby Park—a move that defied federal authority and escalated tensions between state and federal governments.

“We are finally securing the border,” Trump said during his Congressional address Tuesday night.

Trump’s Policies Driving the Visit

1. Crackdown on Illegal Crossings

Since Trump took office in January, the administration has:

Doubled military presence at the border (from 2,500 troops to over 6,500).
Revoked Biden-era protections for migrants.
Resumed mass deportations, using military aircraft.
Activated detention centers, including facilities at Guantanamo Bay.

2. Sharp Decline in Border Arrests

Trump claims his policies are working, pointing to a 39% drop in border arrests since January. However, experts say:

Mexico increased border enforcement before Trump took office.
Biden’s asylum restrictions in 2023 also contributed to the decline.

3. Tariffs on Mexico & Canada

To pressure Mexico on immigration enforcement, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports on Tuesday. The White House suggests a deal to lower tariffs may be announced Wednesday.

4. Possible Use of 1798 Law for Mass Deportations

The administration is considering invoking the Alien Enemy Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelans suspected of having ties to the Tren de Aragua gang.

The law allows mass deportations of noncitizens from hostile nations.
Trump would need to officially label Venezuela an enemy state.
Some officials worry that doing so would inadvertently legitimize Nicolás Maduro.