The Biden administration has announced a new asylum ban that will block migrants from claiming asylum at the US-Mexico border until the number of migrants arrested daily falls below 1,500 for three consecutive weeks. This ban comes into effect immediately, despite legal challenges that might block it, and will remain in place until the daily arrest rate drops below the specified threshold. The restrictions will not apply to unaccompanied minors, people who face serious medical or safety threats, and victims of trafficking. However, the ban will apply to migrants who cross the border illegally without an appointment at a legal port of entry, and families who have not been detained after being arrested at the border.
The ban is a response to rising border arrests, which averaged 4,300 per day in April, and is aimed at reducing the number of migrants crossing the border illegally. The administration has claimed that the restrictions are necessary because the current number of migrants is posing significant operational challenges. However, the move has been widely criticized by immigration advocates, who argue that the ban will prevent people with legitimate asylum claims from seeking safety and will lead to increased suffering and harm.
The ban will allow authorities to quickly deport or send back to Mexico migrants who cross the border illegally without the chance to claim asylum. However, it is unclear how the administration will handle the increased number of deportations, particularly those from far-away and uncooperative countries. It is also unclear how many non-Mexican migrants Mexico will accept under the new enforcement regime.
The ban is likely to face legal challenges, with the American Civil Liberties Union announcing its intention to sue. The ACLU and other civil and immigrant rights groups have previously challenged similar asylum bans issued by former President Donald Trump. The ban is also likely to be a campaign issue in the upcoming US presidential elections, with the Biden administration credits increased enforcement by Mexico for the recent decline in border crossings.
US President Joe Biden (Via Joe Biden/Twitter)
Immigration is a key issue in the upcoming elections, with registered voters preferring Trump’s immigration policies to Biden’s by a 17 percentage point margin. The Biden administration has pushed for months to pass a Senate bill that would toughen border security, but the bill was rejected by Republicans after Trump came out in opposition.
The ban has received mixed reactions from lawmakers, with some Democrats criticizing the move and others praising it. The administration has also faced criticism from Republicans, who argue that the ban is politically motivated and not sufficient. The ban will not apply to legal trade and travel across the US-Mexico border, and will not block access to ports of entry for people who seek an appointment through a government-run cell phone app. However, the ban will likely lead to increased uncertainty and suffering for many migrants who are seeking safety and protection in the US.
In general, the ban is part of the administration’s efforts to reduce the number of migrants crossing the border illegally and to address the perceived crisis at the border. However, the move has been widely criticized and is likely to face legal challenges and controversy in the coming months.
