Biden implements stringent limitations on asylum at the southern US border.

In Washington, DC, President Joe Biden has enacted new restrictions that effectively bar the majority of migrants who cross the US southern border without authorization from seeking asylum in the country. The White House announced these measures on Tuesday, stating that securing the borders is a priority for the US.

According to the White House statement, these actions will be enforced when high levels of encounters at the Southern Border surpass the capacity for timely consequences, which is the case presently. The goal is to facilitate the removal of individuals lacking a lawful basis to remain and alleviate the strain on Border Patrol agents.

Under the new regulations, any migrant crossing the southern border without authorization will be ineligible to apply for asylum if the average number of unauthorized daily crossings exceeds 2,500. Last month, CBS News reported an average of 3,700 unauthorized daily crossings recorded by the US Border Patrol.

These restrictions, effective early Wednesday, will remain in place until the daily average of unauthorized crossings drops below 1,500 for a week. They may be reinstated if the numbers rise again. However, exceptions are made for unaccompanied minors and individuals identified as victims of human trafficking.

While Biden has previously implemented restrictions on asylum-seeking, these measures represent the most comprehensive curbs on migration at the southern border to date. The announcement coincides with Biden's presidential election campaign, where he faces his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.

Hannah Flamm, policy counsel at the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), views the decree as effectively sealing the border to asylum seekers. She notes that while previous obstacles existed, asylum seekers still had the opportunity to apply. However, with this rule, once the encounter cap of 2,500 per day is reached, the chance to seek asylum is effectively nullified.

Critics argue that these restrictions resemble Trump-era policies, labeling it an "asylum ban." The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) plans to challenge the order in court, emphasizing that it jeopardizes tens of thousands of lives.

Biden, however, seeks to distinguish his approach from Trump's, stressing his commitment to not demonizing immigrants and rejecting religious-based bans. He criticizes Republicans for failing to collaborate on immigration issues and bolstering border security.

While Biden acknowledges the limitations of executive action without legislative support, his administration aims to address the root causes of migration through cooperation with regional partners, notably Mexico, to mitigate the pressures driving border crossings.