THE number of migrants caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border dropped on Friday, a senior U.S. border official told Reuters, saying it signaled a restrictive new Biden administration policy was deterring some illegal immigration.
U.S. Border Patrol arrested around 3,100 people crossing illegally, down roughly 20% from the days before, the official said, requesting anonymity to discuss preliminary figures. “It’s still too early to say this is a definitive trend,” the official said. “But I think it is indicative of some possible early success.”
Expedited removal
The new policy aims to maximize the number of migrants placed in “expedited removal,” a fasttrack deportation process. Since Wednesday, more than 2,000 people per day were put in expedited removal, more than double the previous rate, the U.S. official said.
Questions still remain about whether border crossings will stay low enough to process people quickly and whether U.S. authorities have the capacity to meet their goals.
The US Department of Homeland Security said migrants caught crossing illegally could be quickly deported or turned back to Mexico under the measure, which will take effect just after midnight. There will be exceptions for unaccompanied children, people who face serious medical or safety threats and victims of trafficking Legal pathways During a White House press conference explaining the proclamation, Biden said asylum access would remain available to migrants who registered for an appointment using an app known as CBP One or used other legal pathways instead of crossing.
“This action will help us gain control of our border and restore order into the process,” Biden said. “This ban will remain in place until the number of people trying to enter illegally is reduced to a level that our system can effectively manage.” Immigration has emerged as a top issue for Americans in the months before Nov. 5 elections that will decide control of the White House and Congress.
