President Joe Biden is preparing to sign an executive order that would effectively shut down asylum requests at the U.S.-Mexico border once the number of daily encounters between ports of entry reaches 2,500, according to several people familiar with the discussions. The border would then reopen once the daily average over the course of a week declines to 1,500.
The White House has been informing lawmakers about the details of the planned order ahead of the president’s formal announcement, which is expected to take place at an event on Tuesday where border mayors have been invited. The move marks Biden’s most aggressive unilateral action yet to control the number of migrants at the border.
Given that the current daily figures of migrant encounters are already higher than the proposed 2,500 threshold, the executive order could result in an immediate closure of the border to asylum seekers. However, other border activities, such as trade, are expected to continue uninterrupted.
Five people familiar with the discussions confirmed the 2,500 figure, while two of them also verified the 1,500 number for reopening the border to asylum requests. All sources insisted on anonymity as the executive order has not yet been made public.
The president’s anticipated actions have drawn significant attention, as they represent a significant shift in the administration’s approach to managing the influx of migrants at the southern border. The executive order is expected to face legal challenges and criticism from immigration advocates who argue that it undermines the right to seek asylum.
The Biden administration has been grappling with a surge in migrant arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border, which has strained resources and sparked political debates over immigration policies. The president has faced pressure from both Republicans and some Democrats to take more decisive action to address the situation.
As the country awaits the official announcement of the executive order, the implications for asylum seekers and the broader immigration system remain a topic of intense discussion and speculation.
