Biden slammed as his executive order to curb illegal immigration is labeled a 'political stunt'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden is poised to announce an executive order aimed at curbing illegal immigration by setting a daily cap on migrant crossings at the southern border.

The announcement, expected as early as Tuesday, June 4, comes just five months before the presidential election and marks the most stringent border policy of Biden’s tenure.

Details of the new policy and backlash

Reports suggest the executive order will close the border when daily crossings exceed 4,000 over a week. The move represents a significant shift from Biden’s previous stance, emphasizing the need for congressional action to address immigration.

The administration has indicated that the US will continue to accept asylum applicants through the CBP One mobile app, currently processing about 1,400 migrants daily.

Republicans have swiftly criticized the executive action, labeling it a political maneuver. Rep Jim Banks (R-Ind) took to social media, accusing Biden of trying to appear tough on immigration due to declining poll numbers.

“Don’t be deceived by Biden’s latest move on the border, which is nothing more than a political stunt,” Banks posted on X. "He's trying to appear tough on immigration because he's losing ground in the polls. Remember, he's already let in over 10 million illegal aliens, and his new executive order will likely lead to at least 1.5 million more illegal crossings in the next year."

Sen Tom Cotton (R-Ark) echoed this sentiment, writing on X, "This is an election-year stunt that won't distract voters from Joe Biden's disastrous, failed immigration policies."

Democrats, while acknowledging the need for immigration reform, have pointed to the failures of previous congressional attempts to pass comprehensive legislation.

A bipartisan border deal failed earlier this year, with both parties unable to reach a consensus. The White House maintains that Biden’s executive order is a necessary step given Congress’s inaction.

Trump-era policies and Section 212(f)

Biden’s impending order draws a parallel to former President Donald Trump’s policies, which also utilized Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

This section allows presidents to block the entry of certain immigrants if deemed “detrimental” to national interests.

Trump’s administration frequently relied on this authority to limit illegal immigration, facing numerous legal challenges from Democrats.

Biden had previously sought new laws to expand presidential authority over immigration, urging Congress to act. In January, he called for legislation granting him emergency powers to close the border when overwhelmed.

"It would give me, as President, a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed," he stated. "And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law." 

Despite the failure of this legislation, the White House now appears ready to proceed independently.

According to NBC News, the executive order’s specific mechanisms remain unclear, particularly what will occur when the 4,000-per-day threshold is reached.

This uncertainty has fueled further criticism from Republicans, who argue that the policy lacks sufficient detail and enforcement measures.

White House spokesperson Angelo Fernandez Hernandez defended the administration’s approach, stating, “We remain committed to taking action to address our broken immigration system.”

"While congressional Republicans chose to stand in the way of additional border enforcement, President Biden will not stop fighting to deliver the resources that border and immigration personnel need to secure our border," he added.

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the timing of Biden’s policy shift, describing it as “too little too late.”

"He's trying to desperately show the American people that he wants to address the issue that he himself created," Johnson stated. "We documented 64 specific actions that President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas at DHS took over … the course of three and a half years, beginning on the first day that President Biden [took office], to open the border."

"They did it intentionally, it's had catastrophic effects upon our country that we'll be living with for decades to come," the Speaker added.

Biden slammed on social media 

Public reaction on social media has been largely critical, with many echoing the sentiment that the executive order is a political ploy.

"It is a political stunt, @potus knows the wide open boarder is the reason he will lose the election in November. Too little too late, but I'll take what we can get until @realDonaldTrump is back in office to clean it up," one posted on X.

"Years too late is more like it," another wrote.

"Of course it's a stunt. Not so long ago, Biden sent the courts after Governors who were actually trying to do something about the border," someone else pointed out. 

"Remember, he and mop head said there was nothing he could do on his own," a comment read.

"Very expected. Act like he cares about the border for votes. Then forget all about it again if he wins," another offered.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.