Biden plans to tighten rules for migrants using the Trump-era policy
In the US Congress, a proposal for stricter immigration regulations met rejection from Republicans, leading President Joe Biden to consider alternative measures. He plans to issue an executive order modelled after his predecessor's laws to control illegal immigration.
Reports suggest that President Biden intends to toughen border control measures for unauthorized migrants entering from Mexico. This order, if implemented, would allow authorities to immediately deport migrants who cross the border without processing their asylum applications first. The move would take effect if there's a significant increase in the number of migrants crossing the border. A White House official declined to comment on these speculations.
If enacted, these measures would be amongst the harshest ever taken by a Democrat. They'll be based on the same laws employed by former President Donald Trump to curb immigration from certain Muslim countries.
Illegal immigration is a critical issue in America's presidential race. Since Biden took office, the number of unauthorized entrants at the Mexican border has surpassed historical records. Trump and the Republicans often blame Biden for this surge.
Historic Scales
The recent attempt to pass more stringent immigration laws in Congress failed. This marks the second time in 2021 that the initiative was hindered by the Senate - even though both parties had endorsed the proposed reforms.
Both Biden and the Democrats allege that Trump and the Republicans are blocking the legislation to exploit the border for political gain. Trump, known for inflammatory language, portrays migrants as a threat to America's security.
Over the past year, more than 2.4 million migrants have crossed the southern border of the United States. Many originated from Central America and Venezuela, fleeing violence, impoverishment, and calamities exacerbated by climate change.
Source: Eleven and various media outlets
