Biden May Change Border Policy That Reduced Migrant Crossings

The Biden administration is contemplating the potential easing of its executive action aimed at curbing illegal immigration, following a notable decline in migrant arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border. This shift comes after the administration's June asylum rule, which restricts migrants from seeking asylum if intercepted outside designated ports of entry, has been credited with significantly reducing the number of illegal crossings. A senior Border Patrol official indicated that if the downward trend in arrests continues, the administration may lift the current restrictions. Since the implementation of the June rule, arrests plummeted from 117,901 in May to 83,536 in June, with daily averages dropping below 1,850 in July. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not provided detailed plans for lifting the ban, but the criteria for doing so are clear: if the average number of migrant apprehensions remains below 1,500 per day for three consecutive weeks, the automatic denial of asylum access will cease. This could potentially signal to migrants and human smugglers that entry into the U.S. may become easier. Experts warn that easing restrictions could lead to a surge in migration, driven by the perception of more lenient policies. The Biden administration's approach marks a significant shift from the previous administration's stringent measures, which were implemented in response to a rising number of apprehensions that peaked in 2021. The ongoing situation reflects a complex interplay of factors, including economic conditions in Latin America and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Biden administration navigates these challenges, the implications of its asylum policies remain a critical point of discussion among lawmakers and immigration advocates alike.