Biden Ramps Up Response to Illegal Immigration

Written by Hudson Crozier

What’s happening: President Joe Biden has unveiled plans for addressing the historical rates of illegal immigration in the United States in a new show of attention to the issue. His administration is preparing in case the Supreme Court ends the pandemic-era Title 42 policy, which could drastically increase illegal border crossings.

New policies: A new regulation will bar migrants from applying for asylum unless they have been denied by another country first. Migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Venezuela can apply for “parole” to stay in the U.S. if they remain in their country of residence while applying. The government will still rely on Title 42 to turn ineligible migrants away from the border.

Meetings and appearances: Biden will soon make his first trip to the Southern border as president. He will also visit El Paso, Texas, to “assess border enforcement operations” and meet with Mexican and Canadian officials in Mexico City.

Where it all stands now: The Biden administration has reported some success in lowering border crossings; a smaller version of the new parole program reduced border crossings from Venezuela by 70 percent in one month. But the situation is still so dire that Republicans such as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott call Biden’s plans a “band-aid.” Some House Republicans want to impeach the head of Biden’s Department of Homeland Security over its handling of the border crisis.