Report: Biden Considering Executive Order to Shut Down Border

President Joe Biden is reportedly planning to issue an executive order that would allow him to close the U.S.-Mexico border once the number of immigrants entering the United States reaches 4,000 per day.

According to a recent report by the New York Post, the timing of when Biden would enact this order is still unclear, as per an unnamed federal government source. However, another source with ties to the White House mentioned that this order might align with a provision found in a bipartisan bill that was rejected by the Senate back in February. This provision would have granted Biden the authority to start deporting migrants once border crossings hit a daily average of 4,000.

The proposed bill also included a mandatory deportation order if the number of people entering the country illegally exceeded 5,000 a day for a week. The White House has refrained from commenting on the possibility of this executive order from Biden.

In April, Customs and Border Patrol intercepted an average of nearly 6,000 migrants daily, according to federal reports. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has been urging Biden to take action on the border without waiting for Congress to pass legislation.

Last month, Biden mentioned that the White House was exploring the options to raise the “critical fear” standard for individuals seeking asylum through an executive order. In February, there were also discussions about a potential executive action to deny asylum to migrants who crossed the border between ports of entry above a specified threshold.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is reportedly contemplating reintroducing the border legislation bill. The New York Democrat emphasized the need for real bipartisan action to address the border situation. However, Senator James Lankford, R-Okla., one of the original negotiators, expressed doubts about the seriousness of Democrats’ attempts to revive negotiations on the issue.

Senator Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., criticized the potential revival as a “cheap election year ploy” and accused the president of losing credibility on the border. Calls were made to Schumer to persuade Biden to reinstate former President Donald Trump’s border policies.

Johnson echoed a similar sentiment, pointing out that there is existing legislation in the Senate that could address border issues, such as the End the Border Catastrophe Act. This Act includes provisions from the Secure the Border Act of 2023, focusing on policies like “Remain in Mexico,” parole and asylum law reforms, and border wall construction.