In a significant move to address migration concerns, President Joe Biden announced the temporary closure of the United States’ border with Mexico to asylum seekers, effective from Wednesday.
This measure, part of an executive order signed by Biden, aims to control the surging numbers of illegal border crossings and to address a critical political vulnerability ahead of the November election against former President Donald Trump.
This measure, part of an executive order signed by Biden, aims to control the surging numbers of illegal border crossings and to address a critical political vulnerability ahead of the November election against former President Donald Trump.
The 81-year-old Democrat stated in a brief address at the White House that this decision was necessary due to the inaction of Republicans in Congress. Flanked by officials from border states, Biden emphasized the urgency of securing the southern frontier. “I’ve come here today to do what the Republicans in Congress refuse to do — take the necessary steps to secure our border,” he declared.
Under the new order, migrants who enter the United States illegally will be barred from claiming asylum if the number of crossings exceeds 2,500 in a single day. This threshold has already been surpassed, indicating the immediacy of the issue. Additionally, the order facilitates the deportation of illegal migrants back to Mexico. These restrictions will remain in place until the daily illegal crossings drop below 1,500.
The policy shift has sparked widespread criticism. Republicans argue that the measures are insufficient, while rights groups have vowed to challenge the policy in court, labeling it as one of the most stringent migration policies enacted by a Democratic president in decades. The United Nations refugee agency has also expressed deep concerns over the new measures.
Former President Trump, whose administration implemented similar measures, including a controversial ban on migrants from Muslim-majority countries, criticized Biden’s approach. In a video posted on his Truth Social media platform, Trump accused Biden of surrendering the border to illegal immigration. “Millions of people have poured into our country — and now, after nearly four years of his failed, weak leadership, pathetic leadership, crooked Joe Biden is pretending to finally do something about the border,” said Trump, 77.
Biden’s administration has faced record levels of illegal crossings at the 1,900-mile (3,050-kilometer) border, with numbers reaching a peak of around 300,000 in December, approximately 10,000 per day. This unprecedented surge has intensified the political debate on immigration and border security.
As the election approaches, Biden’s strategy reflects a complex balancing act between enforcing border security and addressing humanitarian concerns. The executive order represents a decisive, albeit controversial, effort to mitigate one of the most pressing issues facing his administration. The coming months will reveal whether this move can effectively curb illegal crossings and address the broader challenges of immigration policy.
