President Biden is expected to issue an executive order that would partially shut down asylum processing along the U.S.-Mexico border. This move would allow immigration officials to quickly deport migrants who enter the U.S. illegally without processing their asylum claims when border crossings surpass a certain threshold. The order would rely on a presidential authority known as 212(f), previously used during the Trump administration for immigration restrictions. The partial ban on asylum claims would likely be activated when daily migrant apprehensions exceed 2,500, based on Border Patrol data showing an average of 3,800 apprehensions per day in May.
Asylum processing at border ports of entry would continue under the order, with the Biden administration currently processing about 1,500 migrants at these official crossings each day. Unaccompanied children are expected to be exempt from the order. Democratic lawmakers and mayors of border communities have been briefed on Mr. Biden’s plans, with an announcement expected on Tuesday. However, the executive action is likely to face legal challenges, as previous major immigration policies by the Biden administration have been met with lawsuits from advocates for migrants and Republican-led states.
Migrant apprehensions along the southern border have reached record levels over the past three years, creating a humanitarian crisis and political challenges for the Biden administration. Recent polls show that immigration has become a top concern among American voters. Despite this, illegal border crossings have seen a decrease in recent months, with Border Patrol recording a drop in apprehensions for three consecutive months. This decline has been attributed to an aggressive crackdown by Mexican authorities on U.S.-bound migrants and increased deportations by the Biden administration.
President Biden’s expected executive order comes after Mexico’s presidential election on Sunday, which could impact any major U.S. border policy shifts. The order is also being announced several weeks before Biden’s first presidential debate with former President Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee. The move is part of the administration’s efforts to address the ongoing challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border and manage the influx of migrants. As the situation continues to evolve, the Biden administration is taking steps to enforce border security measures while also upholding humanitarian values.
