Former U.S. ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said the Biden administration’s border policy was ineffective and failed to meet its goals.
Salazar’s critique comes from a diplomat who spent nearly four years [1] managing the complex relationship between the U.S. and Mexico. His perspective suggests a significant disconnect between high-level diplomatic goals and the operational reality of border management.
During a visit to San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Baja California, on Nov. 20, 2024, Salazar said that solutions are found through collaboration. He said, "Las soluciones se encuentran cuando se trabaja juntos" [2].
Salazar expressed deep frustration with the lack of centralized leadership regarding border security and migration. He said, "I begged for a ‘border czar’ to run point on inter‑agency coordination" [3]. According to Salazar, a modern approach is required to synchronize the various government agencies currently operating in silos.
The former ambassador described the level of his dissatisfaction as nearly leading him to seek the highest office in the country. He said, "I was so frustrated I almost ran for president myself" [4].
Salazar said that the current strategy lacks the necessary coordination to handle the scale of the crisis. He advocated for a modernized system that prioritizes joint efforts between the U.S. and Mexican governments to manage the flow of people, and goods across the frontier.
“"I begged for a ‘border czar’ to run point on inter‑agency coordination."”
Salazar's comments highlight a systemic failure in inter-agency communication within the U.S. government. By calling for a 'border czar,' he is arguing that the issue is not merely a lack of resources, but a lack of a single point of accountability to synchronize diplomatic, legal, and security efforts across the U.S.-Mexico border.
