President Biden Set to Issue Executive Order Targeting Migrant Arrivals at US-Mexico Border.

By Caroline Ameh

President Joe Biden is poised to unveil a far-reaching executive order aimed at curbing migrant arrivals at the US-Mexico border, with expectations for its issuance as early as Tuesday.

Under the proposed order, migrants entering the US illegally could face swift deportation without the processing of their asylum requests once a daily threshold is reached, according to sources briefed on the matter.

This move is intended to allow border officials to manage and potentially limit the influx of migrant arrivals, which has reached a record high of over 6.4 million during the Biden administration, posing political challenges as he gears up for re-election.

While migrant arrivals have decreased this year, concerns linger over the sustainability of this trend. Reports suggest that President Biden is considering the use of a 1952 law, known as 212(f), which grants the president authority to restrict access to the American asylum system if deemed detrimental to national interests.

The same law was utilized by the Trump administration to impose immigration bans on several predominantly Muslim countries and to restrict asylum for migrants apprehended crossing into the US illegally, sparking accusations of racism.

However, asylum processing at official ports of entry is expected to continue under the proposed executive order, with around 1,500 asylum seekers undergoing the process daily, primarily via the CBP One app.

The announcement of the executive order is expected to draw attention from border town mayors and Democratic lawmakers, although it is anticipated to face legal challenges from immigration advocates and Republican-led states.

The backdrop to this development includes recent statistics showing a decline in migrant detentions at the US-Mexico border. While April recorded approximately 179,000 migrant “encounters,” a significant decrease from December’s historic high of 302,000, the sustainability of this decline remains uncertain.

This issue comes at a crucial juncture for President Biden, with polls indicating immigration as a top concern for voters in the upcoming presidential election. A Gallup poll conducted in April revealed that 27% of Americans view immigration as the most pressing issue, surpassing economic concerns.

Furthermore, a survey conducted by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that two-thirds of Americans disapprove of President Biden’s handling of the border, including a significant portion of Democratic voters.