EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — President Joe Biden unveiled plans Tuesday, June 4 to enact immediate restrictions on migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The order will go into effect when the number of border encounters between ports of entry hits 2,500 per day, the Associated Press reported.
That means Biden’s order should go into effect immediately, because that figure is higher than the daily averages now., also according to the Associated Press.
The restrictions would be in effect until two weeks after the daily encounter numbers are at or below 1,500 per day between ports of entry, under a seven-day average.
Here are what El Paso region and Texas leaders and organizations are saying about the move.
Fernando Garcia, executive director of the Border Network for Human Rights
“The BNHR is enormously disappointed to see President Biden revive draconian, xenophobic, and dangerous enforcement-only policies that are cruel, ineffective, and a complete disregard for the civil and human rights of asylum seekers. President Biden, instead of delivering a humane, effective, and inclusive border and immigration system to our communities, has continuously embraced the dangerous policies that further erode our already strained immigration and asylum system.
“Under the current asylum restrictions, asylum seekers are being forced to take isolated, dangerous, and remote routes to reach the U.S. and submit their claims. Today’s executive action would further push migrants, refugees, and entire families who are forced to flee their countries to rely on unsafe transportation methods and dangerous routes such as rivers, canals, deserts, and mountains to reach safety and refuge. A real, humane, and effective solution begins with applying asylum law as intended. The U.S. must accept those with asylum claims at our ports of entry and provide them with a legal, safe, and dignified process. What President Biden did today was solidify former President Trump’s quest to dismantle our asylum system.”
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas
“President Biden and his administration have ignored the crisis at our borders for years. President Biden was nowhere to be found when thousands of illegal immigrants were stuck under a bridge in Del Rio for days. No executive order was signed into law to mitigate the influx of migrants who flooded into Eagle Pass in December, causing bridges and railways to cease operations right before the holidays. When our border communities needed help the most, this administration left us out to dry. Now that the election is a few months away, President Biden is using an executive order to score cheap political points. The time for action was years ago — well before we had over 9 million illegal crossings at our borders. President Biden once again has done too little, too late.”
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas
“Irregular migration between ports of entry has been climbing over the last decade, well before President Biden was in the White House. The reality today is that many migrants arriving at our southern border are economic migrants — whom our country desperately needs — but are unlikely to ever qualify for asylum. As a result of the volume, our asylum system has become so overwhelmed that asylum seekers must now wait several years to have their claims heard, and this is unacceptable. The Republican majority in the House rejected the president’s request for the resources necessary to deal with this challenge and they have also refused to bring real and sustainable legislative solutions to the floor.
“While I understand the administration is doing its best to navigate this challenge without adequate resources and appropriate legislation, I am disappointed that the focus today is only on enforcement, and it is my sincere hope that administrative actions on immigration relief, like parole in place for the spouses of US citizens and designations of Temporary Protected Status for vulnerable populations, will also happen.
“My colleagues in Congress who want fewer administrative actions must also be willing to compromise and work on lasting, comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform, like my bipartisan Dignity Act. The Dignity Act would not only humanely reform outdated border processes, but it would open up badly needed legal pathways, something both Republicans and Democrats should seek to fix our broken immigration system.”
El Paso Chamber
“The El Paso Chamber supports the executive action President Biden has taken to address the influx of migrants to our borders. This action will mean fewer disruptions at the port, meaning businesses will not be as impacted as they have been in past years. President Biden’s executive actions, while crucial, serve only as an interim measure, highlighting the pressing need for comprehensive bipartisan reforms to secure the Southern border and address the broader immigration challenges facing the nation.
“Congress must act. We call upon all concerned citizens and policymakers to reach out to their local representatives and urge them to support the continued push for bipartisan reform, including the extension of work permits for long-term immigrants. Extending work permits to long-term immigrants has the potential to ultimately generate $16 billion in economic activity, while also impacting 10.6 million U.S. citizen adults who live with an undocumented immigrant in the same household. This could impact around 33,000 El Pasoans, introducing around 10,000 new workers into our local labor force. This move would benefit workers nationwide by fostering better working conditions and shielding immigrants from exploitation. This initiative is overwhelmingly popular and has garnered support from numerous organizations and officials.
“We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time. Recent discussions and this recent executive action have shed light on the critical impact that current immigration policies have had on our local, state, and federal economies. The current state of our immigration system presents significant challenges, not only to individuals and families but also to our business ecosystem as a whole. The El Paso Chamber, along with many of our community partners, has supported this expansion through our advocacy efforts and by supporting the bipartisan reforms introduced in Congress.
“We are at a crossroads where our actions can profoundly influence our economic future. This is why urging President Biden to expand work authorization and parole for immigrants. This is not just a call to action for our President, but one for businesses and organizations to unite in advocating for policies that not only support our local businesses but also strengthen the fabric of our community and nation. The call for reform is not just a moral imperative; it’s an economic necessity.”
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas
“My question to [President Biden] is, why did you wait until now if you were serious about doing it? The simple answer is he’s not serious about securing the border.
“The simple fact of the matter is that the same laws that were in effect back when President Trump was in office are still in effect, but the difference is the unwillingness of this White
House and this administration simply to enforce the law.”
“It is a shell game. They are not serious about it. This is a conversion based on the
proximity of the next election and sinking poll numbers.”
“This executive order is just political cover, and the American people aren’t going to be fooled.”
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