Biden set to unveil order restricting asylum at US-Mexico border

Order will allow US to shut off asylum requests and deny entry to migrants once daily threshold is met, US media reports.

President Joe Biden is expected to sign an executive order this week that would place new restrictions on the ability of asylum seekers to seek protection at the United States-Mexico border, drawing criticism from rights advocates.

Citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter, US news outlets reported on Monday that the order will allow the Biden administration to shut off asylum requests and automatically deny entry to migrants once a daily threshold is met.

Biden is expected to make the announcement on Tuesday.

The move comes as the Democratic leader continues what experts have dubbed a rightward lurch on immigration amid political pressure from Republicans in the lead-up to November’s presidential election.

Biden is set to face off in the race against his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, who pursued a hardline, anti-immigration stance while in the White House.