Biden and López Obrador Unite to Combat Fentanyl Trafficking and Address Immigration Challenges at Mexico-US Border President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador have come together to tackle the issue of illicit fentanyl trafficking into the United States and manage the increasing number of migrants traveling north to the border between the two nations. During a joint press conference in San Francisco, Biden expressed his belief that nothing is beyond reach if Mexico and the United States work together. The relationship between the two leaders has been somewhat tense in the past, with Biden openly criticizing Mexico on issues such as fentanyl production and the killing of journalists. López Obrador, in turn, has not hesitated to snub the U.S. leader, skipping a Los Angeles summit last year because certain countries were not invited. However, on Friday, both leaders were all smiles, with Biden referring to López Obrador as an exceptional partner and the Mexican president praising Biden as a good man and an extraordinary president. The focus of their discussion centered around fentanyl trafficking, particularly after Biden secured an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to curb the illicit opioid. Both Mexico and China are the primary sources of synthetic fentanyl trafficked into the U.S. The chemicals required for its production mostly originate from China, and the drugs are then mass-produced in Mexico before being trafficked into the U.S. by cartels. Fentanyl is the deadliest drug in the U.S., with over 100,000 deaths each year, two-thirds of which can be attributed to fentanyl overdose. The annual death toll is more than ten times the level it was at during the crack epidemic in 1988. The issues of fentanyl trafficking and immigration are closely related, as human smuggling across the border is part of cartel operations that also involve drug trafficking. Biden emphasized that the two nations are working side-by-side to combat organized crime. Immigration challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. Democratic leaders at the state and local levels are pleading for federal assistance in caring for migrant families living in deplorable conditions, while Republicans are criticizing Biden’s border policies as too lenient. Congress has not passed any immigration reforms in decades, leaving the situation unresolved. Biden requested $14 billion from Congress for border security, but the recently signed temporary spending bill did not include funding for the border, Ukraine aid, or Israel. The number of migrants at the border is rising, with a 21% increase in arrests for illegal crossings in September. Biden has repeatedly called on Congress to address outdated immigration laws. In the meantime, his administration has developed policies aimed at deterring migrants from making a dangerous journey while also creating new legal immigration pathways. Mexico’s support is crucial for the U.S. to effectively address the challenges at the southern border, especially as migrants from countries like Haiti make the arduous journey through Mexico. López Obrador acknowledged that the U.S. administration’s approach of cracking down on illegal crossings while providing legal pathways for others to enter the country was a humane way to address the migration phenomenon. Earlier this year, Mexico agreed to continue accepting migrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and Nicaragua who are turned away at the border. Additionally, up to 100,000 people from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador who have family in the U.S. will be eligible to live and work there. While Guatemala and Colombia have agreed to open regional hubs for asylum claims to deter people from traveling on foot, Mexico has thus far refused to allow the U.S. to establish one. López Obrador also plans to discuss the case for Cuba, urging Biden to resume dialogue and lift U.S. sanctions on the island nation. In summary, President Biden and President López Obrador are joining forces to tackle the pressing issues of fentanyl trafficking and immigration challenges at the Mexico-U.S. border. By working together, the two nations hope to combat organized crime, reduce drug trafficking, and address the growing number of migrants seeking entry into the United States.