US Border Arrests Plummet, Sparking Immigration Debate

Arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico into the U.S. dropped by 30% in July to the lowest levels of Joe Biden's presidency. This decline has opened discussions on lifting the temporary asylum ban. The figures, though not officially revealed, suggest a potential easing of stringent border policies.

Arrests of migrants for illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border plummeted by about 30% in July, marking the lowest point in Joe Biden's presidency, according to U.S. authorities. This significant drop raises the possibility that the temporary asylum ban may soon be lifted.

According to two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, the U.S. Border Patrol expected to arrest migrants around 57,000 times in July, a sharp decline from the 83,536 arrests in June. This is the lowest monthly tally since September 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic severely restricted cross-border movements globally.

Even before the current Democratic administration invoked powers to suspend asylum on June 5, border arrests had already decreased by half from their peak of 250,000 in December. The subsequent decrease by another 50% since June 5 has bolstered the White House's stance against criticism from former President Trump and other Republican figures, who argue that Biden's administration has lost control of the border.

The immigration issue is set to play a pivotal role in November's presidential election, with Trump's campaign recently launching an ad criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris for her handling of border issues. The Biden administration counters with ads highlighting Trump's opposition to a recent border bill aimed at funding border security measures.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are preparing for the possibility of lifting the asylum halt if daily arrests fall below 1,500 over a seven-day average, a threshold that is currently close to being met with daily arrests hovering between 1,600 to 1,700.

Immigrant advocacy groups continue to challenge the legality of the asylum measures in court, creating an ongoing debate around U.S. border policy and enforcement.

San Diego remained the busiest corridor for illegal crossings in July, followed by Tucson, Arizona. Declines in crossings have been particularly notable among Mexican nationals and other nationalities that are easier to deport. Chinese migration has also slowed due to Ecuador's new visa requirements and increased U.S. deportations to China.

(With inputs from agencies.)