Biden expected to issue executive order to curb immigration at southern border
Executive Order to Halt Asylum Processing
President Joe Biden is set to issue a highly anticipated executive order on Tuesday to partially halt asylum processing along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to three individuals briefed on the announcement, the move is aimed at allowing immigration officials to expedite deportations of migrants who cross into the U.S. illegally without processing their asylum claims when border crossings exceed a specific threshold. This action leverages presidential authority under section 212(f), a controversial measure previously used during the Trump administration for various immigration restrictions, including the “travel ban.”
The new policy will be triggered when daily migrant apprehensions between ports of entry surpass 2,500, potentially taking effect immediately. Recent data shows that in May, Border Patrol averaged 3,800 apprehensions per day. Sources indicated the final threshold could still be subject to last-minute changes.
Asylum processing at official border ports will continue under the order, with the current administration handling about 1,500 migrants daily via a smartphone app that assigns appointments to those waiting in Mexico. Unaccompanied children will be exempt from this order.
Legal Challenges and Political Implications
On Sunday, Democratic lawmakers received a briefing on Biden’s plans, with mayors from border communities invited to Tuesday’s announcement. This executive action is expected to face legal challenges, as Biden’s major immigration policies have frequently been contested by migrant advocates and Republican-led states.
In the past three years, migrant apprehensions along the southern border have hit record levels, creating a humanitarian crisis and a significant political challenge for the Biden administration. Recent polls indicate immigration is among the top concerns for American voters.
However, in recent months, illegal border crossings have significantly decreased. Border Patrol recorded about 118,000 apprehensions between ports of entry along the southern border in May, marking the third consecutive monthly drop. March and April saw 129,000 and 137,000 apprehensions respectively, according to public records. U.S. officials attribute the decline to an aggressive crackdown on U.S.-bound migrants by Mexican authorities and increased deportations by the Biden administration.
Biden’s upcoming executive order follows Sunday’s presidential election in Mexico, which could influence any major U.S. border policy shifts. This move also comes just weeks before Biden’s first presidential debate with former President Donald Trump, the leading GOP candidate.
As the Biden administration prepares to implement this new order, it faces the dual challenge of managing the humanitarian aspects of migration while addressing the political pressures surrounding immigration policy. The outcome of this executive action will likely shape the ongoing debate and future policies related to U.S. border security and immigration.
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