A group of migrants walked into Mexico on Saturday against pedestrian traffic on the international bridge between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez minutes after being deported from the U.S. under the Biden administration's new asylum ban. The mainly twenty-something Venezuelan men were ejected under the June 5 proclamation fast-tracking deportations of most people crossing the border illegally, Reuters reports. In a scene that showed both the pitfalls and promises of President Biden's new approach, the deportees who crossed the border only days earlier in deadly triple-digit heat, passed another group of migrants with wheelie suitcases standing in a line. These migrants were awaiting interviews through CBP One, a mobile phone app promoted by the administration that provides a way to approach the port of entry lawfully. Asked if he would try to cross again, a deportee with a silver cross necklace, who only gave his first name, Josuan, said: "Of course." Others nearby nodded. All faced at least a five-year ban on entering the U.S. and would have to evade capture on any future crossing.
Biden has toughened his stance on border security after immigration emerged as a top issue ahead of the Nov. 5 elections. Former President Trump promises a wide-ranging immigration crackdown if reelected. Biden on Tuesday announced a legalization program for immigrants in the U.S. illegally who are married to U.S. citizens. The measure was meant to back a campaign message that he differs from Trump in his support for a more humane immigration system. For now, Biden's restrictive asylum policy, combined with tougher immigration enforcement by Mexico, appears to be lowering crossings. Apprehensions fell just below 2,500 on Sunday, the lowest daily figure since February 2021. Detentions outpaced the 1,450 CBP One appointments U.S. officials said were available daily at eight border crossings.