Summary

President Joe Biden introduced new asylum restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border this week, aiming to manage the migrant influx. The plan faced criticism from various quarters, including the ACLU and Republicans. Biden's move comes after the collapse of a bipartisan border deal, resorting to a presidential proclamation. The restrictions allow authorities to turn back Mexican migrants and will activate when border arrests exceed 2,500 per day for a week. Arrest rates surpassed this threshold in April, and the order applies only to those crossing between ports of entry, exempting certain groups like minors and victims of trafficking.

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Today, we are going to be looking at President Joe Biden’s new asylum restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border rolled out earlier this week.

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On Tuesday, Biden announced plans to enact immediate restrictions on migrants attempting to seek asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. As the 2024 election year picks up, the Biden administration is facing increased pressure over the migrant influx at the U.S’ southern border. 

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The plan has sparked controversy from both sides of the aisle. The American Civil Liberties Union has announced it intends to sue over the new restrictions, while presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and other prominent Republicans have doubled down on their criticisms of the Biden administration’s immigration policies, calling these newest restrictions politically motivated and insufficient.

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After the collapse of a congressional bipartisan border deal earlier this year, Biden is turning to a presidential proclamation in order to enact the restrictions. The presidential proclamation will allow U.S. officials to temporarily stop migrants from being granted asylum when they feel the southern border is too overwhelmed.

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The new restrictions allow border authorities to send back Mexican migrants to attempt to cross the border illegally, without giving them the chance to seek asylum. The order will go into effect when migrant arrests exceed 2,500 per day for a week and then will remain in place until the seven-day average of arrests goes back below 1,500.

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Border arrests averaged over 4,300 per day in April, nearing twice the amount necessary for the restrictions to take effect. The last month that average arrests per day fell below 1,500 was in July 2020, the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The restrictions only apply to migrants attempting to enter the U.S. crossing between ports of entry. The order does not apply to those who seek an appointment to approach a legal point of entry through a government phone app, those who have applied to enter the country through other programs spearheaded by the Biden administration, or those holding temporary work visas. It also does not apply to unaccompanied minors, people who face serious medical threats, and victims of human trafficking.

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Biden rolls out asylum restrictions, months in the making, to help ‘gain control’ of the border (AP)

What does Biden’s new asylum ban at the U.S.-Mexico border do? (Reuters)

Biden signs executive order drastically tightening border (NBC)