President Joe Biden (D) and former President Donald Trump (R) visited separate areas of the southern border on Thursday. President Biden appeared in Brownsville, Texas while President Trump appeared in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Lone Star State Representative in the U.S. House Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) said that Brownsville has a “much more orderly process than elsewhere in the (Rio Grande) valley.”
Furthermore, former Representative Mayra Flores (R-TX) said that the numbers are better in Brownsville than in Eagle Pass.
“And that’s the reason why (Biden is) choosing Brownsville – because it’s nowhere near as bad as it was a few months ago,” said former Rep. Flores.
The moves from the two presidential candidates to visit the border come just days after the death of Laken Riley – who was assaulted, beaten, and killed by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela.
"I spoke to the parents of an incredible young lady and ... [they] were devastated. They're incredible people," Trump said about Riley. He added that she was "beautiful in so many ways and brutally assaulted."
According to ABC News, Biden attempted to lobby for the bipartisan border security deal in the Senate that was announced to be “dead on arrival” in the House.
Trump lambasted the deal as it would let thousands of migrants in daily. However, Biden is trying to get legislators back to the negotiating table.
"You know and I know it's the toughest, most efficient, most effective border security bill this country's ever seen," Biden said. "So instead of playing politics with the issue, why don't we just get together and get it done."
Moreover, Miami Mayor and former presidential candidate Francis Suarez (R-Miami) has announced his endorsement of former President Trump.
Suarez said the differences of the border visits led him to select Trump to receive his pledge of support.
Statement from Mayor Francis X. Suarez pic.twitter.com/iXd8hF8UWS
— Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) March 1, 2024
“After seeing both our current President and President Trump at the border, and having been there myself last week, it is evident to me that the only candidate that will keep our country safe, our border secured, reduce inflation and can coherently lead our country forward is President Donald J. Trump,” said Mayor Suarez. “For those reasons, I am endorsing President Trump today. I look forward to helping him campaign on his strong record and contrast it with the current administration’s. I especially look forward to helping President Trump and the Republican Party win a larger share of Hispanic, young voters and voters across our cities and urban centers.”
Florida’s Republican Primary for President will take place on March 19.
