The White House has informed lawmakers that President Joe Biden is set 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 would reopen when the number decreases to 1,500. These measures are expected to be announced at an event at the White House on Tuesday, with border mayors in attendance.
The 2,500 threshold could lead to an immediate closure of the border to asylum seekers, given that current daily figures exceed that number. This move represents Biden's most assertive unilateral action to manage border influxes.
Five sources familiar with the discussions confirmed the 2,500 threshold, while two sources verified the 1,500 figure. These numbers represent daily averages over a week. The order, which is not yet public, is expected to impact asylum requests specifically, with other border activities like trade continuing as usual.
Senior White House officials have been briefing lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the forthcoming order before its official unveiling on Tuesday. Biden has been contemplating executive action for months following the collapse of bipartisan legislation aimed at tightening asylum regulations at the border.
Despite a recent decline in illegal border crossings, attributed in part to increased enforcement efforts by Mexico, Biden has opted to proceed with executive measures. The decision comes after Republican opposition thwarted legislative efforts to address asylum issues, with many Republicans aligning with former President Donald Trump's stance on border security.
