Biden Administration Contemplates Stricter Asylum Ban Amid Border Concerns

The Biden administration is considering extending the duration of a current asylum ban aimed at reducing illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. This move comes ahead of the November election, as both Biden and Trump campaign on contrasting border policies. The ban would lengthen the required period for reduced crossings before it can be lifted.

The Biden administration is deliberating whether to enforce stricter measures on the existing asylum ban to sustain lower levels of illegal border crossings, a DHS official revealed to Reuters. The discussions come after the ban, instated in June, aimed to be lifted depending on reduced illegal crossings and a subsequent waiting period.

The current stipulation calls for fewer than 1,500 migrants caught crossing illegally per day over one week, followed by a two-week evaluation. The proposed amendment seeks to extend this requirement to several weeks. Since its implementation, the threshold has not been met, with the U.S. Border Patrol apprehending an average of 1,820 migrants daily in July.

As the November 5 election approaches, illegal immigration remains a critical issue for U.S. voters. Both Biden and Trump have made immigration reform central to their campaigns, with Biden defending the current administration's policies and Trump advocating for mass deportations. The DHS continues to review public comments regarding these potential policy changes.

(With inputs from agencies.)