President Joe Biden is set to sign an executive order on Tuesday allowing the U.S. to reject migrants entering the country without legal permission, particularly during periods of high migration activity. The decision comes amid escalating concerns over border security and immigration management.
According to a lawmaker briefed by a White House official, the order will be invoked when the number of migrants crossing the border between legal ports of entry exceeds 2,500, automatically triggering closure conditions. Biden plans to utilize section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a provision also utilized by former President Donald Trump for similar immigration restrictions.
While the Biden administration remains committed to addressing immigration challenges, including the overhaul of the broken immigration system, concerns have been raised by members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus regarding the use of this section of the act.
News of the executive order follows Mexico’s recent historic election, where Claudia Sheinbaum secured a significant victory. This development highlights the ongoing complexities in the U.S.-Mexico relationship, characterized by shared concerns over immigration and drug trafficking despite strong economic ties.
Earlier bipartisan efforts in the Senate to implement automatic restrictions on asylum-seekers based on crossing thresholds collapsed, underlining the legislative challenges in addressing migration issues comprehensively.
The surge in unauthorized migration at the U.S. border, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a focal point for the Biden administration. The proposed executive order aims to address one aspect of migration by targeting asylum-seekers who surrender themselves to border agents.
Critics, including Marisa Limón Garza from the Las Americas Immigrant Rights Center, argue that capping asylum requests violates U.S. refugee law and undermines established asylum procedures, leaving vulnerable individuals at risk.
David Bier from the Cato Institute has criticized the proposal as impractical, citing historical trends in border apprehensions and the inherent contradictions in U.S. immigration laws.
Despite Biden’s efforts to create lawful pathways, unauthorized crossings remain a persistent challenge, with Border Patrol encounters reaching record highs in recent years.
As discussions continue on immigration policy and border security, the proposed executive order underscores the complexities and contentious nature of addressing migration issues in the United States.