Illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border in May have decreased by more than 50% compared to the record highs reported in December, according to internal government data obtained by CBS News. The first 21 days of May saw a daily average of approximately 3,700 apprehensions of migrants between official ports of entry, a 54% decrease from December’s daily average of 8,000. This decline in illegal entries has been consistent over the past few months, with March and April also seeing drops in unlawful border crossings.
The Biden administration has been credited with driving down the number of encounters at the southern border by implementing various measures. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas highlighted the administration’s efforts in strengthening enforcement, combating smugglers, and creating lawful pathways for asylum-seekers to reach the United States in a safe and legal manner. The sustained drop in migrant crossings is seen as a political victory for President Biden, who has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over his immigration agenda.
President Biden is considering an executive order that would suspend asylum processing along the southern border when illegal crossings spike, using presidential authority known as 212(f). This move is aimed at addressing the surge in illegal entries and could be implemented as early as June. While Mayorkas did not confirm the executive action, he mentioned that the administration is exploring various options to strengthen border security while complying with the law and American values. The administration has also urged Congress to reform the immigration system, as any executive action could face legal challenges.
Senate Democrats attempted to advance a bipartisan border security bill that would give the president emergency power to shut down asylum between ports of entry during high levels of illegal border crossings. However, most Republicans, including former President Trump, rejected the proposal, viewing it as insufficiently strict. Mayorkas expressed disappointment over the rejection of the border deal, emphasizing the need for solutions to border security issues rather than using the problem for political gain. The ongoing debate over immigration policies continues to be a key issue for American voters leading up to the presidential election.
The drop in illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border has been attributed to various factors, including an aggressive crackdown on U.S.-bound migrants by the Mexican government. While the number of apprehensions is still elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, the decrease in migration this year has been unexpected, especially during a time when migrant crossings typically surge in the spring. The Biden administration’s efforts to address border security and create legal pathways for asylum-seekers have contributed to the decline in unlawful border crossings, providing a reprieve from the record highs seen in December.
