It's a pivotal week for both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, one day after Mexico elected its very first female president. Sources briefed on the action indicate that President Biden is about to announce a sweeping executive order on immigration, potentially as soon as tomorrow. This order would effectively shut down the U.S.-Mexico border to asylum seekers, a policy that has drawn criticism from immigration rights advocates and some Democrats for being too harsh when proposed under the Trump administration.
The executive order, if implemented, would allow the administration to close the border to asylum seekers if the number of daily crossings surpasses a certain threshold. While unaccompanied children would be exempt from this restriction, some immigration advocates express concern that this exemption could incentivize desperate families to send children to the border alone.
President Biden is expected to use the 212F Authority, a regulation previously utilized by former President Trump, which had faced widespread denouncement, including from many Democrats. The potential use of this authority may lead to criticism and accusations of hypocrisy against President Biden.
Border security remains a significant political issue for President Biden and Democrats, who face pressure to address the situation at the border. Meanwhile, former President Trump has made hard-line immigration policies a central focus of his campaign. The White House has not confirmed the expected announcement but stated that they are exploring policy options to address the broken immigration system.
The timing of the potential executive order is notable, coming just ahead of the upcoming presidential election. With the first debate between President Biden and Donald Trump approaching, taking action now could allow President Biden to showcase his stance on immigration. Additionally, the order's rollout following the Mexican presidential election could prompt Mexico to take action regarding asylum seekers turned away at the border.
