Biden to Issue Order Closing Asylum Policy as Migrant Arrivals Reach 2,500
Lawmakers have been informed by the White House that President Joe Biden is preparing to approve an executive order that would halt asylum requests at the U.S.-Mexico border once daily encounters reach 2,500 between ports of entry. The border will reopen once the number decreases to 1,500, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The impact of the 2,500 threshold means that the border could be closed to asylum seekers immediately, as current daily figures exceed that number.
Biden, a Democrat, is expected to announce these actions at the White House on Tuesday, with border mayors invited to attend the event.
Five sources confirmed the 2,500 figure on Monday, while two confirmed the 1,500 threshold. These figures represent daily averages over a week. All sources requested anonymity as the executive order is not yet public. Trade and other border activities are expected to continue.
Senior White House officials have briefed lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the planned order ahead of the formal announcement on Tuesday.
Despite a decrease in illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border over recent months, largely due to increased efforts by Mexico, Biden has been considering executive action after bipartisan legislation to address asylum issues collapsed at the hands of Republicans under pressure from former President Donald Trump.
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