George W. Bush designated him in charge of guarding the Southern border in 2005. From that moment, and until 2009, Emilio González was the Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). During that period of time, this Cuban-American had more than 15,000 federal employees under his command. The objective was to control and manage migratory flows. He previously had a career in the US military and was a key National Security and Foreign Policy advisor to both Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
With years of experience, González is surprised. Although the immigration debate has always been present in United States politics, this time it is different. The border crisis became the main concern of the campaign. "It is not a new thing, but this time it is decisive in the election." He says so before the members of the Ecomomic Club of Miami, an organization that usually organizes interesting talks and debates on politics, economics and finances in South Florida. The event took place in the Brickell neighborhood, Miami financial district.
On an eighth floor overlooking Brickell Avenue, the former Bush official spoke exclusively with LPO. For González, Latinos living in the United States are the most upset with Joe Biden's generous immigration policies. He clarifies that those who try to cross the border "are humans looking for a better life, and I can't blame them for that." But at the same time, he demands strict controls, destroys Biden and supports Trump's construction of a wall. This expert in international politics calls the Mexican Andrés Manuel López Obrador a populist and affirms that the US does not need a reform, but simply to comply with the available laws.
What do you think of the immigration reform project that Biden agreed to with some Republicans?
Biden's is a non-project, because the truth is that it accomplishes nothing. It is supposedly bipartisan in the Senate, but when you read its 370 pages, you realize that 80% of the bill talks about military aid to Israel and Ukraine. The rest gives a number of new powers to the federal government and a lot of money to nongovernmental organizations. That is, it is to expedite, process, transport and house all these illegal people who are crossing, but at no time does it talk about stopping what is happening at the border. That's why Republicans refused to even consider it.
What solution do you propose to restrain the crisis and the growing flow at the border?
The solution is to first comply with the law. What is happening now is that it is not being fulfilled. Second, do not allow people crossing in large numbers to stay in Mexico. In a diplomatic way, we have to demand that all transit countries stop this. Because honestly, most if not all transit countries are making a lot of money too. On flights, in hotels, in food. That is, there are several things that can be done. Obviously, the border is not going to be sealed tomorrow, but there are steps that can be taken to at least control what is happening at the border.
When you criticize the role played by the governments of transit countries, are you referring especially to Mexico?
Especially Mexico, because it is the biggest sinner. However, Colombians are also beginning to come. Those who come through the Darién Region start in Colombia, and not in Panama. All countries are to blame because everyone is benefiting. The only ones who are not benefiting are the North American taxpayers, who are the ones who have to pay for this.
Why would Andrés Manuel López Obrador turn a blind eye to immigration?
AMLO is not a friend of the United States, we must be very clear. He is a populist, he has more in common with DÃaz-Canel, Daniel Ortega, Nicolás Maduro, and Gustavo Petro than with Joe Biden. AMLO tolerates the United States, but that's as far as it goes. If AMLO really wanted to help, he would stop this tomorrow. The caravans would not get from Guatemala to Mexico so easily. The illegal immigrants who are flying to Mexico to go to the border could be stopped tomorrow, but AMLO is not interested in doing that.
Do you support the Republican impeachment attempt against Secretary of Security Alejandro Mayorkas?
The impeachment of Mayorkas is simply a political signal. I know him. He even replaced me as head of migration. But we are seeing that he is not doing his job, he is not fulfilling his oath of the constitution. Since the Biden administration, there have already been more than 850 people who have died trying to cross the border. There are 850 deaths that have no reason. And Alejandro Mayorkas is to blame for all that. Unfortunately it is so.
Do you think that humanitarian paroles are sold on a kind of black market?
There are reports that paroles are being sold because there is very little supervision on this side. You ask for it, you get someone to be your sponsor and maybe they don't even know each other. But there is an exchange of money and, when you suddenly receive the parole, you are already in. We are now seeing a case in New York. A Haitian who came on parole committed a crime. It turns out that his sponsors live in New Jersey, but he was living in a hotel in New York. We have to stop it.
Do you trust that Trump could find a solution to the crisis?
If Trump wins, perhaps the solution will be more abrupt, but it would be a solution nonetheless. And that's what voters are now looking for.
Would Trump's solution be abrupt, effective or just gimmicky?
It is effective to the extent that it sends a global message: that in the United States the borders are closed, that this will no longer be allowed. This laxity, this abuse of the laws will no longer be allowed.
Is the wall with Mexico really viable?
I'm sure he's going to start the wall too. And there is a secret that everyone knows: walls work. In Egypt they have a wall against Gaza, in Israel they have a wall. That is, walls work.
What do you think of Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric, from which some Republicans distanced themselves?
In politics all rhetoric are valid. It's not an excuse, but obviously we have the other rhetoric with which the president is inviting the entire world to come to the United States. That is, they have abolished borders. That's rhetoric too. We have to find a balance, but what Trump is saying is what a large number of voters are thinking.
When did the migration crisis worsen?
The minute Biden became president. There he immediately canceled some 94 treaties and executive orders on immigration. He opened the border and he hasn't stopped.
With a so polarized Congress, is it feasible to agree on immigration reform, either now or under the next administration?
They will have to agree. I think that the Republicans are going to win not only the presidency, but also Congress. Many of these Democratic congressmen are in danger of losing their seats simply because the party has taken a position and they have to follow that lead. And they will pay a political price.
Do you consider a fundamental reform - like the one Ronald Reagan applied - necessary?
No, I'm not a lawyer, but in my opinion we have to comply with immigration laws. We don't need a massive reform, but we do need to fix some things. What you have to do is comply with the law. If we were complying with the law today, we would not have this problem we have now.
How do you explain that more and more Latino voters support Trump?
It's not that they are all with Trump. There is a minority of difference. It's the same as the African American vote. You don't have to win 100% of the vote. With 51% you already won it. What we are seeing now in border states, such as Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, all with high Hispanic populations, is that they are complaining. They are fed up because they see that the federal government is not doing anything.
What do you think of the controversial Texas state law that allows the arrest and deportation of undocumented migrants who arrive in the country?
That's going to end up in Court. Governor Greg Abbott has been very smart at what he has been doing for several years, and Texans are going to keep fighting. They are going to take it to the Supreme Court. This is not going to stop simply because of a first instance judge, they are going to continue.
In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis is stopping the immigration of desperate Haitians. What do you think?
He is taking an aggressive position, as is Abbott with Haiti. We know that Florida is in the trenches. If we have another crisis of immigrants coming by sea from Haiti, he is preparing himself. He faces the problem so he doesn't have to react later.
What is your assessment of the tightening of the immigration policies that were applied in Florida last year?
They are working, they are giving results and the State has not become a crazy State as people thought. In fact, there is now a project to prohibit street camping, like the scenes we are seeing in California. And we don't want poverty to be the same as that of California.
Translation: Bibiana Ruiz.
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