Immigration, autism prevalence, and military recruitment are pressing issues shaping current discourse in the United States. From February 2021 to January 2025, immigration officials encountered immigrants illegally crossing the U.S. border approximately 10.4 million times. Furthermore, a March 2023 report in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report revealed that one in 36 children aged eight years are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The military faced one of its worst recruiting years in 2022 since the inception of the all-volunteer force in 1973.
Immigration Challenges Intensify
The U.S. continues to grapple with significant challenges related to immigration. Between February 2021 and January 2025, there were about 10.4 million encounters of illegal crossings at the U.S. border. This figure rises to approximately 12.4 million when considering congressional Republicans' September 2024 "gotaways" estimate. These "gotaways" refer to individuals who evaded capture and were not recorded by border patrols.
In response to these challenges, President Joe Biden initiated a humanitarian parole program allowing 30,000 eligible immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. monthly. Despite this initiative, former President Donald Trump terminated the program during his tenure. Trump's approach to immigration also saw Mexico extraditing numerous drug cartel members to the U.S., a practice that began during his first term. He noted:
"Mexican authorities, because of our tariff policies being imposed on them, think of this, handed it over to us, 29 of the biggest cartel leaders in their country. That has never happened before." – Trump
Autism Prevalence on the Rise
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence has seen a marked increase over the decades. In the 1960s, researchers estimated that about two to four children in every 10,000 were autistic. Presently, one in 36 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism. This rise is attributed to advances in diagnostic screening and an increased prevalence of the disorder.
The March 2023 report from the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report highlights this upward trend. The report underscores the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in managing ASD effectively. The increase in prevalence has sparked discussions on resource allocation for educational and healthcare support services tailored for autistic individuals.
The growing rates of autism have prompted calls for more comprehensive research and support systems to better accommodate affected individuals and their families. As awareness spreads, there is hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for those with ASD.
Military Recruitment Faces Uphill Battle
The U.S. military experienced one of its most challenging recruitment years in 2022 since the establishment of the all-volunteer force in 1973. Despite these difficulties, fiscal year 2024 marked a slight improvement as the Army recruited 55,150 people, slightly exceeding its goal.
In 2023, however, the Army achieved only 76.6 percent of its recruitment target. A significant factor contributing to the recent recruitment increase is an Army program designed for future soldiers. This initiative aims to help Americans become physically fit or academically prepared to qualify for military service.
The military's recruitment challenges are compounded by broader economic factors, including inflation rates reminiscent of those seen in the 1970s and early 1980s. During that period, inflation rates sometimes ranged from 12 percent to 15 percent annually. Former President Trump commented on this economic strain:
"We suffered the worst inflation in 48 years, but perhaps even in the history of our country, they’re not sure." – Trump
