President Biden had a phone conversation on Thursday with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to address the ongoing migration crisis along the US-Mexico border. However, little new ground was broken in the discussion as the number of daily illegal border crossings continues to reach all-time records, with thousands of migrants waiting in border states for processing.

During the call, both leaders focused on the long-standing efforts to address the root causes of migration and discussed potential ideas to stem the flow of people through Mexico. The National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, emphasized the importance of tackling underlying issues such as poverty, crime, and corruption in other countries to address the diverse group of migrants seeking asylum.

While the Biden administration has launched a three-year initiative led by Vice President Kamala Harris to reduce illegal immigration by addressing these root causes, it has not yet yielded significant results in curbing the influx of migrants. Kirby acknowledged the "big surge" and "significant spike" in illegal crossings, indicating the need for additional actions.

Kirby also mentioned the importance of stability and electoral reforms in addressing the root causes of migration, highlighting a recent Venezuela prisoner swap agreement as an example of progress in this regard. The Biden administration played a role in securing the release of 21 opposition politicians, which could contribute to addressing the underlying factors driving migration.

When asked about efforts to slow down the current flow of migrants, Kirby explained that discussions between the two presidents included the implementation of checkpoints on rail lines and highways, as well as the presence of the Mexican Armed Forces in the south. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas are expected to travel to Mexico in the near future to further discuss and refine these efforts.

However, it is evident that more needs to be done to address the border crisis. The Biden administration has requested additional funding from Congress to support border operations and care for migrants entering the U.S. Meanwhile, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott has signed a law allowing state police to arrest individuals who illegally enter from Mexico, despite prior Supreme Court rulings emphasizing federal authority over immigration policy.

Critics, including Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, have pointed to the Biden administration's policies as the cause of the current crisis. Johnson sent a letter to President Biden demanding swift executive action to reverse these policies, including the reinstatement of the "Remain in Mexico" policy and the implementation of Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which would allow the suspension of entry for certain aliens in the best interest of the United States.

The migration surge comes at a time when the U.S. is grappling with processing a record-breaking number of migrants. More than 12,600 people were reportedly processed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on Monday, marking the highest single-day total ever recorded.

The Biden administration faces the challenge of balancing humanitarian concerns with the need to secure the borders and address the root causes of migration. As the crisis persists and discussions continue, the focus remains on finding effective solutions to alleviate the strain on resources and ensure the security and well-being of both migrants and U.S. citizens.