Biden Signs Executive Order to Restrict Asylum Claims at U.S.-Mexico Border When Crossings Exceed 2,500/Day

Jun 4, 2024, 02:26 PM

President Joe Biden has signed a sweeping executive order aimed at addressing the ongoing border crisis by significantly restricting asylum claims at the U.S.-Mexico border. The new measure allows authorities to temporarily shut down the border to asylum seekers when daily crossings exceed 2,500, with the border reopening once the figure falls below 1,500. The executive order, set to take effect immediately, comes as daily encounters at the border currently average over 4,000. Former Obama-Biden DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson previously stated that 1,000 illegal crossings per day overwhelmed the system, raising concerns about the new threshold of 4,000 per day. The move has sparked criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, with some arguing it is too lenient and others deeming it inhumane. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already vowed to challenge the order in court.