Biden Implements Sweeping Asylum Restrictions at U.S.-Mexico Border, Capping Claims at 2,500 Daily

Jun 5, 2024, 01:43 PM

President Joe Biden has issued a sweeping executive order aimed at restricting asylum claims at the U.S.-Mexico border. The new policy, which went into effect on June 4, 2024, will allow authorities to quickly deport or send back to Mexico migrants caught crossing the border illegally. The order sets a cap of 2,500 asylum applications per day and will be lifted if the daily average of illegal crossings falls below 1,500 over a week. The move has sparked significant controversy, drawing criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Progressive politicians and immigration advocates have condemned the measure as inhumane and potentially dangerous for those waiting in Mexico, while some Republicans argue it is too little, too late. The executive order comes as Biden faces pressure to address the ongoing border crisis and aims to gain control of the situation ahead of the upcoming November elections. The order invokes Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and follows a period of 3.5 years during which millions of illegal aliens crossed the border. Notably, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has expressed strong support for the measure, contrasting with the broader Democratic opposition. Former President Donald Trump criticized the action as insufficient.