“BIDEN,” read the young demonstrators’ T-shirts, imitating the new president’s campaign logo. “PLEASE LET US IN!” The picture ran in the New York Times, but one wonders whether whoever paid for the tees got his money’s worth. For President Biden’s administration seems determined to let in as many illegal immigrants as want to come.

The numbers are daunting. About 80,000 people tried to cross the southern border this January — about twice as many as in January 2020. That number could easily balloon this spring, traditionally the peak migration season, with fewer COVID-19 restrictions in place and with less cooperation with Mexico.