Claudia Sheinbaum has made history by becoming the first woman to be elected president in Mexico. The 61-year-old will be taking the reins from President Andrés Manuel López Obrador after serving as mayor of both Tlalpan and Mexico City. The left-leaning president-elect is being referred to as “less combative” than her predecessor, essentially meaning that she will have a very data-driven presidency. This is a historic moment for the country of Mexico.
This also happens to be a “historic” moment for the Biden administration, as the president has just signed an executive order that may prove to strengthen border security between the United States and its southern neighbor. Under these new conditions, when the southern border is “overwhelmed,” three key changes to current processing will take effect. According to DHS, they are:
First, noncitizens who cross the southern border unlawfully or without authorization will generally be ineligible for asylum, absent exceptionally compelling circumstances and unless they are excepted by the Proclamation.
Second, noncitizens who cross the southern border and are processed for expedited removal while the limitation is in effect will only be referred for a credible fear screening with an Asylum Officer if they manifest or express a fear of return to their country or country of removal, a fear of persecution or torture, or an intention to apply for asylum.
Third, the U.S. will continue to adhere to its international obligations and commitments by screening individuals who manifest a fear as noted above and do not qualify for an exception to the Rule for withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture protections at a reasonable probability of persecution or torture standard – a new, substantially higher standard than is currently applied under the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule.
What exactly does “overwhelmed” mean under this new order? Again, according to DHS, “the measures would again go into effect, or continue, as appropriate, when there has been a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of 2,500 encounters (attempted border crossings) or more.“ This decision comes at a key moment for the Biden administration, with Mexico’s election finalized and the United States' own election creeping just around the corner.
Sources:
The United States Government. (2024, June 4). Fact sheet: President Biden announces New Actions to secure the border. The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/06/04/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-new-actions-to-secure-the-border/
Fact sheet: Presidential proclamation to suspend and limit entry and joint DHS-DOJ Interim Final Rule to restrict asylum during high encounters at the southern border: Homeland security. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). https://www.dhs.gov/news/2024/06/04/fact-sheet-presidential-proclamation-suspend-and-limit-entry-and-joint-dhs-doj
Sherman, C. (2024, June 4). A scientist, a leftist and a former Mexico City mayor. who is Claudia Sheinbaum?. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/claudia-sheinbaum-mexico-presidential-election-profile-5f61250aaccb9f397f74ff6c7cfe9cc0
Alba, M., Tsirkin, J., & Ainsley, J. (2024, May 23). The Biden Administration has a plan to shut down the border. but it needs Mexico’s help. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna153620
NBCUniversal News Group. (2024b, June 4). Biden signs executive order dramatically tightening border. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-signs-executive-order-shutting-southern-border-rcna155426
Kim, S. M., Groves, S., & Long, C. (2024, June 4). Biden prepares an order that would shut down asylum if a daily average of 2,500 migrants arrive. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/biden-immigration-executive-order-asylum-border-7cd0b0f28e298036ad1fc6b0c78961e1
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