US officials have highlighted a significant decrease in border crossings for the past two months, attributing the decline to recent executive actions aimed at curbing asylum access at the US southern border. This comes amidst criticism from former President Donald Trump regarding the Biden administration's handling of border security.
Immigration and border security continue to be key issues for voters, with Trump emphasizing them in his campaign and holding Vice President Kamala Harris responsible for the border situation.
Despite facing border crises during Biden's presidency, the number of illegal border crossings has notably dropped in July and August. Customs and Border Protection data shows that encounters between ports of entry have decreased by over 50% compared to previous months, reaching the lowest levels since September 2020.
White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández stated that President Biden's executive actions announced in June have been effective in securing the border. The administration has been proactive in addressing the issue, while criticizing Republican officials for their inaction.
In August, Border Patrol reported around 58,000 encounters between ports of entry along the US southern border, a slight increase from July but significantly lower than previous months. Acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, Troy A. Miller, emphasized the enforcement of the Securing the Border interim final rule and the imposition of strict consequences for illegal entry.
The executive action announced by Biden restricts migrants from seeking asylum at the US southern border, leading to the notable decline in border crossings. However, eligible migrants can still apply for legal entry into the United States through the CBP One mobile application or a parole process designed for specific nationalities.
