Former Interior Secretary and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar asserted that the Biden administration was too slow to address border and migration issues, a delay that he believes allowed former President Donald Trump to leverage the crisis as a political advantage.
In his new book, "Borderlands," Salazar criticizes what he describes as an "east-west paradigm" in U.S. foreign policy, which he states prioritizes Europe and Asia over Mexico and the Americas. He argues this mindset afflicted the Biden White House, leading to a neglect of the Western Hemisphere.
"From day one, there should have been a great sense of urgency in addressing the crisis of a broken border and the migration crisis that we are seeing," Salazar said. He contends the administration lacked both a comprehensive strategy and a clear communication plan, creating a void that was subsequently filled by Republican messaging.
Salazar recounted nearly resigning during a trip to Mexico with Biden and other officials after being excluded from a key meeting where he intended to advocate for the appointment of a border and migration czar. He later conveyed his concerns privately to President Biden, emphasizing the need for a dedicated individual to oversee border, migration, Mexico, and the Americas issues, similar to the COVID-19 response czar.
Even after Biden's June executive order aimed at reducing border crossings, Salazar noted the administration's failure to effectively communicate its success before Biden withdrew from the presidential race. This, he suggested, provided Trump with an accessible campaign issue.
Salazar described the approach of both the Biden and Trump administrations toward the Americas as "foreign policy malpractice," a persistent challenge for the U.S. over the past century. He explained that Republicans often capitalize on the border issue for electoral gain, while Democrats tend to focus more on domestic immigration reform rather than the broader regional context.
Salazar's proposed "Borderlands Platform" advocates for a "New American Alliance" among the United States, Mexico, and Canada, focusing on enhanced security cooperation, labor mobility, and trade investment. He advocates for treating immigration policy as both a national security and economic concern, rather than solely a domestic political battle. He also expressed support for renewing the USMCA trade agreement.
While acknowledging Trump's assertion that the border is "broken," Salazar disagreed with his approach, calling it divisive and pointing to incidents involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
He stressed the importance of a larger foreign policy perspective, stating, "What is being neglected here is the bigger picture. And that's this foreign policy paradigm that is so required for the United States and Mexico and the Americas."
Salazar confirmed he has advised potential Democratic presidential candidates for 2028 to prioritize border and migration policy. He also indicated he would meet with Donald Trump if invited, but would not serve as "political fodder."
He suggested that the Trump administration could benefit from a "Borderlands"-type approach to foster improved intracontinental relations, particularly in light of economic concerns affecting American agriculture and consumers due to trade uncertainties with Mexico.