The Biden-Harris administration has seen a significant decrease in U.S.-Mexico border arrests in July, with numbers dropping by nearly a third to a new low. This decline has raised hopes that a temporary ban on asylum may soon be lifted. Border Patrol is expected to arrest around 57,000 migrants in the month of July, down from 83,536 arrests in June. San Diego, California, and Tucson, Arizona, were identified as the busiest corridors for illegal crossings in July.
Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials provided the data showing the decrease in border arrests to the Associated Press. This decrease marks the lowest number of monthly arrests since September 2020, during the Trump administration. The asylum halt put in place by Biden in June will end if daily arrests drop below 1,500 over a seven-day average, which is projected to happen soon as arrests are currently around 1,600 to 1,700 per day. The biggest declines have been seen from people traveling from Mexico, with other countries also exhibiting fewer arrivals due to various restrictions.
Former President Donald Trump and Republicans have criticized Vice President Kamala Harris on immigration policies and border security. They have expressed concerns about potential threats from terrorists and criminals entering the country through open borders. However, data shows a decrease in border arrests, which may impact the ongoing debates around immigration and border policies. Immigration is expected to be a key issue in the 2024 presidential election, as it remains a top concern for voters.
A new poll conducted for Bloomberg found that Harris was leading Trump in Michigan, indicating potential support for the Democratic nominee in the critical swing state. Immigration policy continues to be a point of contention between Trump and Harris as they campaign for the presidency. The Trump administration has highlighted the ongoing challenges at the border, while the Biden-Harris administration emphasizes their efforts to address these issues and ensure the security of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Biden-Harris administration has faced criticism from Republican lawmakers who view the decrease in border arrests as insufficient and highlight ongoing challenges at the border. They argue that the current policy of catch-and-release between ports of entry contributes to a historic border crisis. The administration’s approach to immigration and border security remains a point of contention, with different perspectives on how to address the complexities of migration and asylum in the United States. The ongoing debates and challenges surrounding immigration policy will likely continue to be a significant issue leading up to the presidential election in 2024.
