Border SecurityExplainer

Border Security Explained: The Immigration Crisis and Reform

The southern border crisis has brought record illegal crossings, fentanyl, and cartel control. Here's the conservative case for border security and immigration reform.

WorthFighting Editorial Team

Editorial

Aug 30, 2026 7 min read 0 views

Key Takeaways

1.Over 8 million illegal border encounters were recorded during the Biden administration
2.Over 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2023, primarily from fentanyl
3.Border wall sections reduced illegal crossings by over 80% in those sectors
4.The cartels earn an estimated $13 billion annually from human smuggling
5.Border security is the first responsibility of a sovereign nation

Border security is the first responsibility of a sovereign nation. A country that cannot control its borders cannot control its destiny. The crisis at the southern border — with record illegal crossings, fentanyl poisoning, and cartel exploitation — has made border security a defining issue in American politics.

The Crisis

During the Biden administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded over 8 million encounters with illegal border crossers — the highest in American history. In fiscal year 2023 alone, there were over 2.4 million encounters. Millions more are believed to have evaded detection.

The consequences extend far beyond the border:

Fentanyl: Over 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2023, the majority involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl smuggled across the southern border. Cartels use migrants as decoys to divert Border Patrol while they move drugs.
Cartel Control: Mexican drug cartels control the smuggling routes and collect billions in fees from migrants. They effectively control parts of northern Mexico.
Strain on Communities: Border communities, as well as cities across the country, have been overwhelmed by the influx. New York City alone has spent over $4 billion housing migrants.

The Conservative Solution

Conservatives advocate a comprehensive approach:

Physical Barriers

A border wall or fence in high-traffic areas is not a panacea, but it works. The sections of wall built under the Trump administration reduced illegal crossings in those sectors by over 80%. Barriers force crossers to more remote, dangerous routes where they are easier to detect and apprehend.

Enforcement

Interior enforcement matters as much as the border itself. When illegal immigrants are released into the country with a court date years in the future, the message is clear: if you make it across the border, you are home free. Policies like Remain in Mexico (MPP) and expedited removal are essential.

Policy Reform

The asylum system is being abused. Under current law, anyone who reaches U.S. soil can claim asylum, triggering a years-long legal process. Conservatives advocate raising the credible fear standard, ending catch-and-release, and requiring asylum claims to be filed at designated ports of entry or in the first safe country the migrant reaches.

Key Statistics

Over 8 million border encounters during the Biden administration
Over 100,000 American overdose deaths in 2023, primarily from fentanyl
Border wall sections reduced illegal crossings by over 80% in those sectors
The cartels earn an estimated $13 billion annually from human smuggling
Over 300 Americans die from fentanyl every week

For more on how elections shape border policy, see our 2026 election reform analysis.

What's at Stake

Border security is not anti-immigrant. It is pro-sovereignty. A nation that cannot determine who enters and who stays is not a nation at all. The question is whether America will enforce its laws and protect its citizens — or whether the cartels and the chaos will continue to set the terms.