In a surprising move, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk descended upon the Texas border with Mexico, immersing himself in the heart of the U.S. immigration debate. His visit coincided with a surge in migrants arriving in northern Mexico, with many crossing into the United States, particularly around San Diego, California, and the Texas border towns of El Paso and Eagle Pass.
Elon Musk wades into US immigration debate at Texas-Mexico border https://t.co/oVtrlve4Oe pic.twitter.com/TdR77k8t3Q
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 29, 2023
This surge follows a previous decline in unauthorized border crossings, a lull attributed to a new asylum policy introduced by Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration. Musk’s unconventional visit to Eagle Pass, a hotspot for recent crossings, aimed to provide him with what he termed an “unfiltered” understanding of the situation.
Amidst the picturesque backdrop of migrants wading across the Rio Grande near a railroad bridge in Eagle Pass, Musk, sporting a black T-shirt, cowboy hat, and aviator-style sunglasses, shared his views in a candid video-selfie on the social media platform X.
Advocating for a comprehensive approach, Musk called for an “expedited legal approval” process within a “greatly expanded legal immigration system.” He emphasized the need to welcome “hard-working and honest” migrants while simultaneously preventing entry for those “breaking the law.”
“We want to do both things – smooth out legal immigration and stop a flow of people that is of such magnitude that we’re leading to a collapse of social services,” Musk asserted passionately.
As a South African immigrant himself, Musk highlighted his pro-immigrant stance, acknowledging his unique perspective as an “immigrant to the United States.” His plea for a balanced and pragmatic immigration system comes at a time when the U.S. faces critical decisions on its immigration policies.
Musk’s foray into the immigration debate adds another layer to his growing involvement in American politics. As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, his influence extends beyond the tech and space industries, positioning him as a voice on pressing national issues.