President Biden to Close Mexican Border to Asylum Seekers to Tackle Immigration Surge
President Joe Biden is set to sign an executive order aimed at closing the Mexican border to asylum seekers during surges in illegal crossings, in an effort to address a major vulnerability in his reelection campaign against Donald Trump.
The move, one of the toughest by a Democratic president, mirrors some of Trump’s border policies and comes in response to polls showing the issue impacting Biden’s chances in November. The new measures would allow for the deportation of migrants crossing the border illegally without processing their asylum claims first.
While facing opposition from some Democrats and likely legal challenges, Biden’s administration is taking steps to address the border crisis that has seen record numbers of migrants crossing into the US, primarily from Central America and Venezuela.
By working with Mexico and other countries to reduce migrant flows through enforcement and economic policies, Biden aims to curb illegal crossings and strengthen border security. The president’s announcement comes as he forges a collaborative partnership with Mexico’s first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum.