America is battling a devastating invasion at our border with Mexico, and Texas is on the front line as it makes up roughly half of that border. Unfortunately for Texas and the nation, the federal government doesnt appear all that interested in dealing with the crisis. In fact, they seem intent on facilitating it instead. To make matters worse, Mexicos President has now taken it upon himself to make ridiculous demands of our nation, exemplifying just how determined powerful government entities are to leverage this crisis for political and personal gain.

Last week, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador revealed that if America wants his help stemming the flow of illegal immigrants crossing our border from Mexico, we would have to give $20 billion in taxpayer money to Latin American and Caribbean countries, grant 10 million work visas to Hispanics who have been working in the U.S. for at least 10 years, end American sanctions against socialist Venezuela, and halt the Cuban blockade.

How dare this man make any demands whatsoever of the United States of America. The correct response by America and Texas would be to stop all aid to Mexico and put pressure on Lopez Obrador by shutting down the PEMEX Deer Park refinery. Mexicos lucrative partnership in this high-capacity refinery has economically benefited them for decades, and shutting it down would cripple Mexicos oil supply, sending a very clear message. It wouldnt take Mexico long to realize that its in their best interest to help us protect our nation so we can help them prosper in theirs.

But just as the Biden administrations motivations in addressing the border crisis arent about American interests, Lopez Obradors motivations arent about Mexicos interests, either. He is an ideological communist who caters to the cartels, to the detriment of the Mexican people. In addition, his single six-year term is coming to a close. So, when he demands $20 billion, could his plan be to pocket some of it and pay off the cartels on his way out? Does he intend to strongarm America into providing him a nice financial windfall for his retirement?

I believe in diplomacy through strength and, if necessary, by force. But the milquetoast Biden administration has a habit of capitulating to ridiculous demands, even if our own nation suffers, rather than using what leverage we have in our own national interest.

Lopez Obrador was only elected because the people thought he was the lesser of two evils. But he has shown his true colors, and he clearly doesnt care about what is best for Mexico. The Mexican people dont want illegals there, either. Just like Americans, they want their own interests to be prioritized over political agendas being exploited for power and gain by corrupt and self-serving government officials.

There are many people who are following the legal immigration process, as many have in the past, including my own legal immigrant parents. Why would we bend to and even reward those who are blatantly breaking our laws, and why would we capitulate to the outrageous demands of someone allowing, and perhaps even facilitating, that criminality?

America once maintained peace through strength in a world where everyone knew the powerful capabilities of our nation and dared not test them. Now, our enemies and our allies seem comfortable testing the limits to see just how much America will endure before we put our foot down in defense of our national interests. The numerous domestic and global failures by the Biden Administration have only emboldened them in their demands and aggression, confident that they will not face consequences.

The United States of America is stronger than that and we need leaders with the backbone to stand up for American interests. When America is strong, the world is safer. The Mexican people, including my family who live there, cant wait to see the end of the Biden regime. If we are to secure our nation and protect the American way of life, we need representatives who recognize the reality of the illegal immigration crisis, who call it what it is, and who have the gumption to put a stop to it to protect America, her people, and her values. Otherwise, America will no longer be a land of freedom and prosperity for future generations of citizens, including industrious legal immigrants.

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Irene Armendariz-Jackson is running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 16th Congressional District in Texas. She will be on the ballot in the Republican primary on March 5, 2024.

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.