In nearly simultaneous addresses in Texas, the Republican former president, Trump, characterized the surging numbers of border crossings as a “Joe Biden invasion,” while the Democratic incumbent urged his opponent to cease “playing politics” with proposed migration reforms.

This split-screen moment underscored a potentially pivotal issue in the upcoming presidential election, less than eight months away, as polls indicate that a majority of voters hold Biden accountable for the unprecedented surge in illegal entries.

Seeking to leverage his extensive history of anti-immigration rhetoric for a remarkable White House comeback, the 77-year-old Trump painted a grim picture of Americans being “kidnapped,” “raped,” and “savagely murdered” by migrants.

During his speech in Eagle Pass, Texas, alongside the state’s staunch Republican Governor Greg Abbott, Trump vehemently declared, “Joe Biden is responsible for this invasion.”

The selection of Eagle Pass carried symbolic weight, as Abbott has assumed military control of an area along the Rio Grande River, sparking a standoff with the US federal government, France 24 reported.

Meanwhile, Biden, making only his second border trip since taking office in 2021, engaged with border patrol agents and law enforcement officials in Brownsville, Texas, approximately 300 miles to the east of Trump’s location.

Migration stands as 81-year-old Biden’s major political vulnerability, alongside his age, with Republicans attributing the surge in migrants to Biden’s asylum-friendly policies.

In response, Biden is attempting to redirect the issue toward Trump, accusing him of obstructing bipartisan immigration legislation that would provide additional staff and funding for border forces.

Addressing Trump, Biden stated, “Instead of playing politics with this issue, instead of telling members of Congress to block this legislation — join me.”

Sporting a jacket and baseball cap, Biden walked with border patrol agents along the river, where a gathering of a boat, trailer, and other vehicles took place.

Accompanied by his immigration chief, Alejandro Mayorkas, who faced impeachment by Republicans just over two weeks ago, the choice of location was notable, as migrant crossings around Brownsville decreased by nearly a quarter in January, partly due to the Biden administration’s collaboration with Mexico.

Written by B.C. Begley