Biden Signs Executive Order to Temporarily Close US-Mexico Border Amid Migrant Surge

On June 4, 2024, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order allowing for the temporary closure of the US-Mexico border when illegal crossings exceed 2,500 per day. This measure, aimed at curtailing the surge in migrant arrivals, marks one of Biden's most aggressive actions on immigration to date.

The executive order stipulates that the border will reopen once the daily average of encounters declines to 1,500. The 2,500 figure is calculated as a daily average over the course of a week, and given current figures, the border could be closed immediately.

This move comes in response to a record high of nearly 250,000 encounters with migrants in December 2023. The order will suspend the processing of most asylum claims at the southern US border when the seven-day average of unauthorized crossings exceeds 2,500.

Why this matters: This executive order has significant implications for US immigration policy and the ongoing debate around border control. Its implementation could lead to a shift in the way asylum claims are processed and potentially impact the lives of thousands of migrants.

Migrants who cross without authorization, absent exceptional circumstances, will not be eligible for asylum and will face immediate removal. The restrictions will remain in place until two weeks after the seven-day average of illegal crossings drops below 1,500.

The executive order is seen as a response to congressional inaction on immigration reform. Biden has been deliberating for months on how to act unilaterally after bipartisan legislation to clamp down on asylum at the border collapsed. "We continue to look at all options on the table," said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

The order relies on Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gives the president broad authority to block the entry of certain immigrants into the US if deemed harmful to national interest. This section has been used by both Democratic and Republican presidents in the past.

The executive order has already sparked criticism from various groups. "It's deeply disappointing to see President Biden so hell-bent on dismantling human rights for people seeking asylum," said Amy Fischer, Director of Refugee and Migrant Rights at Amnesty International USA. Legal challenges from immigrant and civil rights groups are expected.

The Biden administration is also encouraging migrants to seek asylum at ports of entry by using the US Customs and Border Protection's CBP One app, which schedules about 1,450 appointments per day. This measure is part of an effort to manage the flow of migrants more effectively.

The executive order signed by President Biden on June 4, 2024, aims to temporarily close the US-Mexico border when illegal crossings exceed 2,500 per day. The move is intended to address the surge in migrant arrivals and is expected to face legal challenges.

Key Takeaways

• US President Joe Biden signs executive order to temporarily close US-Mexico border when illegal crossings exceed 2,500 per day.
• Border will reopen when daily average of encounters declines to 1,500.
• Migrants who cross without authorization will not be eligible for asylum and face immediate removal.
• Order relies on Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, giving the president broad authority to block entry.
• Legal challenges from immigrant and civil rights groups are expected.