Everyone has heard the phrase: “the border was wide open.”
But what does that actually mean—and is it true?
In this video, I break down the difference between political rhetoric and operational reality at the U.S. border. I explain what a “border encounter” really is, why high encounter numbers don’t mean unchecked entry, and how a complex system has been reduced to a misleading narrative.
This is not a defense of current policy. There are real problems—capacity limits, backlogs, and inconsistent outcomes. But calling the system “open” obscures more than it explains.
If you want serious solutions, you need an accurate starting point.
In a follow-up video, I’ll walk through what actually happens to someone after they are encountered at the border—including credible fear interviews, release decisions, and how the asylum process unfolds.
“Open border” isn’t a fact—it’s a narrative. Here’s what’s actually happening at the U.S. border, and why the distinction matters.
