President Joe Biden is expected to sign an executive order on immigration and border security this week, according to multiple reports. The order aims to address the record number of migrant encounters at the US-Mexico border and curb the flow of illegal immigration. However, some critics argue that it is coming too late in Biden's presidency and question its effectiveness.
Biden has been under pressure from both parties to take action on border security, with Republicans accusing him of not doing enough to secure the border and Democrats calling for more humane treatment of migrants. The issue has become a major point of contention in the lead-up to the November presidential election.
The expected executive order would reportedly shut off asylum requests and deny entrance to migrants once a daily threshold of encounters by American border officials is exceeded. However, some experts warn that such measures could lead to increased exploitation, kidnapping, physical and sexual violence against children and families in Mexico while they wait to cross the border.
Additionally, it may result in family separation as family units are forced to send their children across the border alone as unaccompanied minors. People trying to enter the US illegally will also be forced to take more dangerous routes, leading to increased injuries, illness and death.
Republicans have criticized Biden's handling of the border situation and called for tougher measures. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has previously urged Biden to issue executive orders on immigration using his existing authority but has since criticized the expected order as 'too little, too late.'
Democrats, on the other hand, have argued that Biden needs to balance border security with humane treatment of migrants and legal immigration pathways. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) defended the timing of Biden's expected executive order and attributed the delay to Republican inaction in Congress.
The White House has not confirmed the details of the expected executive order but has stated that it remains committed to addressing America's broken immigration system.