WASHINGTON, D.C. — As cases of the New World screwworm reappear in the United States for the first time in decades, Trump administration officials are blaming former President Joe Biden’s immigration policies for the outbreak. However, entomologists and government records indicate the problem began years earlier and stems from multiple factors beyond immigration policy alone.
The flesh-eating parasite, which was eradicated from the United States in the 1960s, has been slowly advancing northward from South America since at least 2022 after breaching a long-standing containment barrier in Panama. Experts say the spread was likely driven by a combination of increased animal movement, illegal livestock transport, and declining effectiveness of sterile-fly eradication programs.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has repeatedly argued that Biden-era border policies contributed to the pest’s return. However, experts interviewed by The Hill noted that the screwworm was already spreading through Central America and Mexico before the current outbreak reached the United States.
The Biden administration responded to confirmed cases in Mexico by closing southern ports of entry to live cattle imports in November 2024. President Donald Trump reversed that decision in February 2025 following pressure from the cattle industry, though the ports were closed again in May after additional concerns emerged.
Democrats have also criticized the Trump administration’s cuts to portions of the Department of Agriculture, arguing reductions in monitoring and response programs weakened preparedness efforts. The administration disputes those claims, saying staffing changes did not affect screwworm response operations.
Scientists caution that assigning blame may be less important than expanding eradication efforts. The primary defense remains the release of sterile male flies, but experts say current production levels are insufficient to quickly stop the spread. A new U.S. production facility is under construction but is not expected to become operational until next year.
Sources:
* The Hill – MBFC Rating
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