Migrants who are prohibited from seeking asylum in the United States are those who may potentially endanger public safety or national security. With the implementation of this rule, authorities would have the authority to refuse entry and deport migrants falling into these categories shortly after their arrival at the border.
Requests for comment from the Department of Homeland Security and the White House went unanswered by their representatives.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, President Biden is contemplating the use of a powerful presidential authority to implement a more extensive asylum restriction prior to the November election. This authority, known as 212(f), enables presidents to temporarily halt the entry of migrants if their arrival is considered to be harmful to U.S. interests. Former President Donald Trump utilized this law to defend various immigration restrictions, such as the travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim nations.
The president has been deliberating on the 212(f) order for several months, but a final decision has not yet been announced.
The upcoming regulation, although it won’t have a significant impact on a large number of migrants, is a clear indication of President Biden’s commitment to enacting policy changes. Since the beginning of his presidency, Biden has emphasized his determination to “restore” the United States’ asylum system.
However, in response to the surge in migrant apprehensions along the southern border, which reached record levels of over 2 million in each of the past two years, the Biden administration has implemented and proposed more stringent asylum regulations.
In the previous year, the administration released a regulation that renders migrants ineligible for asylum if they unlawfully enter the United States without first seeking humanitarian protection in a third country, such as Mexico.
The administration has not only implemented restrictions but also significantly expanded the avenues for potential migrants to legally enter the United States. To facilitate this, they have introduced innovative measures such as a phone app that enables migrants in Mexico to schedule their processing times at official border crossings. Additionally, a program has been established to allow certain migrants with American sponsors to travel to the U.S. by air.
Migrant crossings along the southern border have seen a significant decline this year, dropping by over 40% since reaching record levels in December. Internal Border Patrol data obtained by CBS News reveals that illegal crossings dipped to around 129,000 in April, marking the second consecutive monthly decrease.
According to U.S. officials, the decrease in migration can be attributed to two main factors: increased deportation efforts and Mexico’s heightened measures to prevent migrants from reaching the American border. Texas state officials have also claimed responsibility for the decline in border crossings, citing their implementation of razor wire along various sections of the border.