The Daily

Another Crisis at the Border

Sep 27, 2021

Michael D. Shear, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, dives into the escalating crisis of Haitian migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. He discusses the dire conditions faced by thousands in makeshift camps and the controversial response from Border Patrol, including deportations and ethical concerns. Shear also contrasts the Biden administration’s strategies with those of previous administrations, shedding light on the complex political and humanitarian dilemmas surrounding immigration policy during heightened turmoil in Haiti.

25:21

Creator website

Episode guests

Michael D. Shear

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Struggles at the Border: Haitian Migrants in Crisis

7min

Contradictions in Immigration Policy: A Reflection on Recent Events

3min

Border Battles: Immigration Policy in Flux

13min

Political Shifts and Public Health Challenges

2min

Increasing numbers of Haitian migrants have been traveling to the border town of Del Rio, Texas, recently, in the hope of entering the United States.

Border Patrol took action — in some cases, sending the migrants back to Haiti; in others, taking them into custody or releasing them as they await trial.

Why did so many thousands of Haitians come to the border in the first place? And what was behind the Biden administration’s reaction?

Guest: Michael D. Shear, a White House correspondent for The New York Times.

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Background reading:

The U.S. is flying migrants back to Haiti and other countries as President Biden struggles to manage an immigration system already buckling under record migration.
Haitians who lived abroad for years have been returned to a country that they barely recognize — often, they say, without a hearing.

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