Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended President Joe Biden’s new executive action restricting asylum and called for Congress to take action on the border. The policy bars migrants crossing the border illegally from seeking asylum once a daily threshold is met, which has faced criticism from both Republicans and progressive Democrats. Mayorkas believes the new policy will reduce the number of people trying to cross the border by changing the risk calculus of individuals before they leave their countries of origin.
The administration’s move has faced backlash from Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, who accused Biden of not doing enough to secure the border. While it is too early to determine the policy’s impact, Mayorkas believes that the restrictions on asylum will deter individuals from attempting to cross the border. The policy would have been in effect for the last three years due to a surge in migrant encounters, according to a CNN analysis.
Mayorkas acknowledged that the bipartisan immigration deal falling apart in February delayed action on the border. He emphasized the need for congressional action to resource the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and Department of Justice with additional personnel. Despite attempts to revive the border measure in May, it exposed divides among Democrats, with some progressives comparing Biden’s new policy to Trump administration tactics.
Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware defended Biden’s new measure, arguing that it differs from former President Trump’s policies. Coons pointed out that Trump implemented a Muslim ban and used cruelty, such as separating parents from children at the border. Progressive House Democrats have criticized Biden’s executive action as a step in the wrong direction and urged him to reverse course. The ACLU has also expressed intention to sue over the new policy, likening it to Trump administration actions.
Despite the criticism, Mayorkas reiterated the administration’s commitment to the legality of the new policy and emphasized the humanitarian obligation to keep vulnerable individuals out of the hands of exploitative smugglers. Biden is reportedly considering another immigration move to provide legal status for long-term undocumented immigrants married to American citizens in an effort to garner Latino votes. The passage of the bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package in February was blocked by Senate Republicans, leading to divisions among Democrats and challenges in addressing immigration issues.
