The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: Episode Summary - "Botching the Border"

Release Date: March 25, 2021

In the episode titled "Botching the Border," hosts Ted Cruz and Michael Knowles delve deep into the escalating immigration crisis at the United States southern border. Through a candid discourse, they explore the policies of the Biden administration, compare them with previous administrations, and discuss the broader implications on American society and governance. This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for clarity.

1. Introduction to the Border Crisis

The episode opens with Michael Knowles highlighting the surge in unaccompanied minors at the southern border:

Michael Knowles [00:00]: "A record number of unaccompanied minors at the southern border of the United States. Minors that we were told would not be held in detention facilities anymore, now overflowing those facilities."

The conversation sets the stage for an in-depth analysis of the current situation, questioning the Biden administration's stance and actions.

2. Escalation Under the Biden Administration

Ted Cruz asserts that the situation qualifies as a crisis, emphasizing the dramatic rise in illegal crossings:

Ted Cruz [00:52]: "Well, it's a crisis, and it's not complicated to call it that. We are seeing the volume of illegal crossings rising dramatically."

He critiques specific Biden policies, including halting the construction of the border wall and reverting to the "catch and release" strategy, which he argues incentivizes more illegal immigration.

Ted Cruz [01:48]: "So border wall done. Within days, the Biden administration returns to catch and release."

3. Policy Shifts and Their Consequences

Cruz details the removal of the "remain in Mexico" policy, a significant Trump-era immigration strategy:

Ted Cruz [02:54]: "And what the Biden administration did is it took that really important international agreement and it essentially ripped it up, said, nope, we don't want him to remain in Mexico. We want them here, and we want to let him go."

This policy reversal, according to Cruz, has led to an influx of Central American immigrants maneuvering through Mexico to enter the U.S., exacerbating the border situation.

4. Comparisons with Previous Administrations

A significant portion of the discussion contrasts the current administration with those of Obama and Trump. Cruz recalls the immediate impact of Trump's election on illegal crossings:

Ted Cruz [04:25]: "What we're seeing is really the mirror image of what we saw in late 2016 and early 2017 when Trump was elected."

He points out that despite minimal initial action, illegal crossings decreased markedly during Trump's early tenure, attributing this decline to immigrants’ perception of strict enforcement.

5. Humanitarian Concerns and Abuse

The hosts delve into the humanitarian fallout of lax immigration policies. Cruz shares harrowing accounts of human trafficking and abuses faced by migrant children:

Ted Cruz [07:46]: "They are providing human traffickers who... are vicious, horrific, criminal cartels."

He condemns the administration's approach, arguing that it inadvertently puts children in harm's way by allowing them to remain in the U.S. without adequate oversight.

6. Press Access and Transparency Issues

A contentious point raised is the Biden administration's restriction on press access to detention facilities:

Ted Cruz [14:51]: "The Biden administration is worse than the Obama administration on this front."

He contrasts this with previous administrations, asserting that the current administration's lack of transparency hinders public understanding of the crisis.

7. COVID-19 Implications

The episode also touches upon the intersection of immigration policies and the COVID-19 pandemic. Cruz criticizes the administration for releasing immigrants without proper COVID-19 testing:

Ted Cruz [16:10]: "They're releasing it in Texas, my home state."

He highlights the inconsistency in the administration's COVID-19 policies, pointing out the risks posed by undetected virus carriers being released into communities.

8. Legislative Battles and the Senate Filibuster

Shifting focus, Cruz discusses the potential passage of the "Corrupt Politicians Act" (HR1) and the implications of eliminating the Senate filibuster:

Ted Cruz [25:08]: "If the Corrupt Politicians act passes, there will be lots of legal cases challenging it."

He expresses skepticism about the act's survivability in the courts, especially if Democrats proceed without the filibuster's protective barrier.

9. The Future of Senate Legislation

Cruz outlines the procedural maneuvers Democrats might employ to pass controversial legislation, including expanding the Supreme Court:

Ted Cruz [26:24]: "They will pack the United States Supreme Court... the packed left wing Supreme Court will uphold the Corrupt Politicians act."

He underscores the strategic threats posed by such actions, warning of long-term structural damage to the country's governance.

10. Closing Remarks and Call to Action

In the episode's conclusion, Cruz and Knowles advocate for public engagement and vigilance:

Ted Cruz [31:26]: "We're gonna pass the Corrupt Politicians act and you pack the Supreme Court and you do lasting structural damage to the country."

They encourage listeners to subscribe, support their initiatives, and stay informed about ongoing political developments.

Key Takeaways

• Policy Reversals Fuel the Crisis: The Biden administration's halt of border wall construction, reinstatement of "catch and release," and withdrawal from the "remain in Mexico" policy are identified as primary drivers of increased illegal immigration.

• Humanitarian Impact: Lax policies, according to Cruz, lead to increased vulnerability among migrant children, exposing them to trafficking and abuse.

• Transparency Concerns: The current administration's restricted press access to detention facilities is criticized for obscuring the reality of the border situation.

• Legislative Threats: Potential changes to Senate procedures and attempts to pass restrictive legislation without bipartisan support could have lasting negative effects on American governance.

• COVID-19 Management: The intersection of immigration policies and pandemic response measures raises additional public health concerns.

Notable Quotes

• On the Border Wall and Policy Changes:

  Ted Cruz [01:48]: "So border wall done. Within days, the Biden administration returns to catch and release."

• On Immigration as a Crisis:

  Ted Cruz [00:52]: "Well, it's a crisis, and it's not complicated to call it that."

• On Filibuster and Legislative Process:

  Ted Cruz [27:32]: "And in the Senate rules, any senator can appeal the ruling of the chair."

• On Supreme Court Packing:

  Ted Cruz [26:44]: "They will pack the United States Supreme Court... the packed left wing Supreme Court will uphold the Corrupt Politicians act."

Conclusion

"Botching the Border" presents a critical examination of the United States' immigration policies under the Biden administration, juxtaposing them against previous administrations and highlighting the resultant surge in illegal crossings and humanitarian crises. Ted Cruz and Michael Knowles argue that policy reversals have not only failed to curb illegal immigration but have also endangered vulnerable populations. Additionally, the episode warns of potential legislative overreaches that could undermine the country's foundational governance structures. Through a blend of policy analysis, personal anecdotes, and legislative insights, the hosts advocate for stricter immigration enforcement and greater legislative scrutiny to address the multifaceted challenges at the U.S. southern border.