Illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border in May have decreased by more than 50% compared to the record highs reported in December, according to internal government data. Border Patrol agents recorded a daily average of approximately 3,700 apprehensions of migrants between official ports of entry in the first 21 days of May, a significant drop from the 8,000 daily average in December. This decline has also led to a third consecutive month-over-month drop in unlawful border crossings, with numbers on track to reach between 110,000 and 120,000 apprehensions in May.
The decrease in migration this year has been unexpected as it goes against the trend in recent years of migrant crossings surging in the spring. The Biden administration has attributed the lower levels of unlawful crossings to an aggressive crackdown on U.S.-bound migrants by the Mexican government. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also credited the administration’s efforts for the downward trend, highlighting strengthening enforcement, attacking smugglers, and building lawful pathways for asylum-seekers. This has come as a relief politically for President Biden, who has faced criticism from both Republicans and progressive Democrats regarding his immigration policies.
In response to the ongoing situation, Mr. Biden is considering an executive order that would attempt to suspend asylum processing along the southern border during spikes in illegal crossings. This move would rely on a broad presidential authority known as 212(f) and could be implemented in June. While Mayorkas did not confirm the expected executive action, he mentioned that they are looking at options daily to strengthen border security while following the law and the country’s values. Administration officials have been urging Congress to reform the immigration system, as any executive action could face legal challenges in court.
The Senate recently failed to advance a bipartisan border security bill that aimed to give the president emergency power to shut down asylum between ports of entry when illegal border crossings reach certain levels. The proposal, brokered by the White House and a small bipartisan group of senators, would also preserve asylum processing at official ports of entry and allow migrants who pass their initial asylum interviews to work in the U.S. immediately after being released from federal custody. However, most Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have rejected the border agreement, viewing it as insufficiently strict.
Mayorkas expressed disappointment over the rejection of the border deal, stating that delivering solutions that border security and the country’s security need is crucial. President Biden has emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of immigration with a focus on delivering effective solutions rather than using it for political reasons. With the border situation still a significant concern for many Americans, immigration policy and politics continue to be key topics of discussion and debate in Washington and across the nation.
