Apprehensions at the southern border saw a slight increase to 58,000 in August, but they still remained at a four-year low. Interestingly, this number is approximately 80% lower than the figures recorded last December, which saw over 200,000 migrants apprehended while attempting to enter the country. The significant decrease is largely attributed to the asylum order implemented by the Biden administration in June. This policy, considered to be the most restrictive asylum measure enacted by a Democratic president, has played a crucial role in curbing the number of unauthorized border crossings.
Authorities are now considering changes to the stringent asylum restrictions that were imposed in June, due to the numbers that have been reported. These changes would aim to extend the duration and broaden the criteria required to lift the restrictions, as reported by CBS News.
The current policy has a deactivation trigger that lifts the restrictions if the seven-day average of daily illegal crossings falls below 1,500. The proposed changes seek to extend this threshold to a 28-day period, meaning that the average would need to remain below 1,500 for almost a month before the policy could be lifted.
The administration is currently exploring the possibility of broadening the criteria for determining the deactivation threshold. In this new proposal, all unaccompanied migrant children, regardless of their country of origin, would be taken into account. It is important to note that currently, only unaccompanied children from Mexico are included in these calculations.
If approved, the changes would be implemented through regulations issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). The interim rule, which enforced President Biden’s June proclamation, is currently being revised into a final rule. DHS officials have mentioned that they are still in the process of reviewing public comments on the interim rule.
The June restrictions on asylum marked a notable change in U.S. border policy, contradicting President Biden’s earlier promises to implement a more compassionate approach to immigration. The administration stated in July 2021 that building a fair, organized, and humane immigration system would take time. They acknowledged the need to address the irrational and inhumane policies of the previous administration but assured progress towards their blueprint for a better system.
The administration has responded to the surge in migrant interdictions at the southern border and mounting political pressure by adopting more extensive asylum restrictions this year. In addition to implementing stricter asylum regulations, they have also introduced various programs that enable tens of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. legally every month. These initiatives include scheduling daily appointments for migrants awaiting processing in Mexico at official entry points and a program that allows up to 30,000 migrants from specific countries to fly to the U.S. with financial sponsorship.
