President Biden Suspends Asylum Claims at the Border

Faced with increasing political pressure related to the influx of migrants at the southern U.S. border, President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Tuesday (4th) that will temporarily halt asylum requests when the average daily encounters reach 2,500 between official ports of entry. This measure takes effect at midnight this Tuesday. Upon reaching the established limit, the processing of requests will be suspended and will only be reopened when the number drops to 1,500 for seven consecutive days, and migrants may return two weeks after this period.

Biden announced that the new executive order will prevent migrants crossing the border illegally from seeking asylum once the daily limit is reached. He also reaffirmed his commitment to immigrant rights, highlighting that he would never demonize immigrants or separate children from their families at the border.

The executive order will have some exceptions, including for unaccompanied children. Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for Donald Trump's campaign, criticized the exception, stating that it would give a "green light to child traffickers and sex traffickers." In 2018, the Trump administration attempted to enact similar border restrictions, but the courts blocked them.

Additionally, the order mandates that migrants arriving at the border who do not express fear or claim to suffer persecution in their home countries will be immediately expelled from the U.S., and may be subject to a five-year ban from attempting to re-enter the U.S.

Biden stated that this action will help regain control of the border and restore order to the process. He criticized the Republican Party for not passing bipartisan immigration reform and asked for patience from critics of his action.