In response to the burgeoning crisis at the southern U.S. border, President Joe Biden has implemented stringent new measures to control immigration.
Fox News reported that President Biden has announced steps to temporarily halt the arrival of non-citizens at the southern border when daily encounters exceed 2,500, attributing his actions to Republican obstruction and the necessity to protect the nation amidst a global migration surge.
President Biden utilized his executive authority, employing sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a tactic previously adopted during the Trump administration. This move comes as part of broader efforts to manage border security more effectively.
The measure restricts entry when the average number of migrant encounters over seven days surpasses 2,500, pausing only when the average falls below 1,500.
The regulations detailed that during periods of suspension, exemptions would apply to individuals such as visa holders, unaccompanied minors, and victims of severe trafficking. In the 24 hours before these declarations, border officials recorded 5,200 migrant encounters, illustrating a significant increase that influenced this executive decision.
The Biden administration has highlighted the non-negotiable need for Congressional intervention to overhaul what is described as a dysfunctional immigration system.
Despite past efforts, comprehensive reform remains elusive, prompting this interim strategy. In the last month, the border has seen a sharp drop in crossings, from over 211,000 in April last year to around 179,725 encounters.
Critics, particularly Republicans, have labeled Biden's timing as politically motivated, surfacing contentious debates over the sincerity of these border policies. Senator John Cornyn of Texas and Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana voiced concerns over the efficacy and timing of the executive orders, hinting at political underpinnings as the elections draw near.
A senior administration official articulated that the presidential proclamation and interim final rule mark a continual effort over three years to bolster consequences for illegal crossings.
"Today I'm moving past Republican obstruction and using executive authorities available to me as president to do what I can on my own to address the border. To protect America as a land that welcomes immigrants, we must first secure the border and secure it now," stated President Biden during the announcement, emphasizing the dual goals of welcoming legal immigrants while ensuring national security.
The ACLU immediately announced intentions to challenge these new measures legally, setting the stage for potential high-stakes judicial reviews similar to those faced by previous administrations. Alongside this, a group of 15 House Democrats had previously urged President Biden to take decisive action against the escalating border crisis and the trafficking of illicit substances like fentanyl.
With Biden's policies now surpassing over 7 million migrant encounters during his tenure, the administration reiterates the urgency of the situation. They argue these measures are crucial yet insufficient absent broader legislative reforms.
The administration continues to promote a bipartisan Senate bill, described as tougher but fairer than the current practices, which could allocate significant resources towards securing the borders and supporting frontline workers.
In conclusion, the recent executive orders by President Biden signify a robust attempt to manage the border crisis amid significant political and legal disputes.
While these measures are designed to temporarily alleviate the pressures of high migrant encounters, both the administration and its critics agree that a lasting solution depends on comprehensive legislative action.