On April 2, 2024, migrants built makeshift fires while waiting to seek asylum in El Paso, Texas, after crossing from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. President Joe Biden is set to announce an executive order that would restrict asylum claims at the US-Mexico border when daily illegal crossings exceed 2,500. This policy, leveraging the "212(f)" regulation, would aim to manage the high volume of migrants and is expected to take effect immediately due to the current crossing rates.

The executive order would allow the border to reopen for asylum processing once the daily crossings fall below 1,500. Unaccompanied minors would be exempt from the restrictions, potentially influencing families to send children alone. Senior White House officials, including Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, have briefed lawmakers on the plan, which will be formally unveiled at an event attended by mayors from several border cities.

Biden's decision follows bipartisan legislative efforts to address border issues, which failed due to Republican opposition encouraged by former President Donald Trump. The new order is expected to face legal challenges, echoing similar controversial measures during the Trump administration.

This marks a significant policy shift for Biden, reflecting a more aggressive stance on border security amid ongoing political pressures and high migrant numbers. Recent data indicate nearly 4,000 daily crossings and about 1,500 scheduled appointments for asylum claims through the US Customs and Border Protection mobile app. Biden's announcement is anticipated to happen on Tuesday at the White House.