In an effort to control the influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, President Joe Biden implemented strict asylum restrictions, and new figures from the Department of Homeland Security indicate that the policy is yielding the anticipated results. The number of individuals seeking asylum in the United States has decreased by 50% since June, providing a counter-narrative to critics while highlighting the administration's focus on border security and efficiency.

Administration officials report that border agents are operating more effectively, resulting in a decrease in migration hotspots like Eagle Pass, Texas. However, migrant activists argue that the Biden administration's executive order is excluding deserving asylum-seekers and complicating their access to help in America. They attribute the decline in numbers, in part, to a little-known change in the policy, which no longer requires border agents to inquire whether migrants fear for their lives if they are returned home.

Under the new rules, unless migrants express such concerns unprompted, they are swiftly processed for deportation. This approach has raised concerns among critics who argue that desperate individuals who lack knowledge of seeking assistance in the United States may be unfairly denied the opportunity to present their asylum cases.

Lead attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, Lee Gelernt, criticizes the manifestation standard, stating that it will put migrants with legitimate asylum claims in danger by denying them even a screening for potential threats. Gelernt argues that the government is aware of the risks associated with this standard.

Biden's executive order brought about a significant change in the traditional promise of the United States to provide refuge to those who no longer feel safe in their home countries. The order stipulates that only individuals entering the country through an official port of entry with appointments will be considered for asylum at the southern border. Limited exceptions are made for unaccompanied children, victims of human trafficking, and those facing serious medical emergencies or life-threatening situations.

Previously, migrants would cross the border illegally and approach border agents to surrender, knowing that anyone setting foot on U.S. soil could seek protection. After an initial screening, they were often released into the United States to await their asylum cases, sometimes for years. Biden's order has changed this practice, resulting in a quick return of the majority of migrants.

Administration officials defend the new screening process, stating that migrants are more likely to express fear if prompted with appropriate questions. Border agents are now trained to watch for any signs of fear, such as crying or shaking, rather than explicitly asking the question. Signs and videos in detention facilities inform migrants that they can express their fear of deportation to officers.

An anonymous administration official claims that the new rules allow the agency to focus on migrants who have a higher likelihood of possessing legitimate claims. The official notes that over 1,000 migrants per day can schedule appointments to claim asylum at official ports of entry, demonstrating that a pathway for those seeking refuge still exists.

Critics and advocates, however, argue that the drop in numbers is not solely a result of Biden's executive order. They highlight Mexico's increased enforcement, intercepting migrants en route to the border, as well as the usual pattern of illegal crossings decreasing after a major policy change and potentially surging again later as migrants attempt to understand the new rules.

While exact figures were not provided by the Department of Homeland Security, asylum requests were reported to have dropped over 50% according to a court filing. Migrant advocacy groups have shared accounts of migrants being turned back by border agents without their asylum claims being acknowledged.

The impact of the policy implementation can be seen through the significant decrease in border crossings since the introduction of the restrictions. In July, illegal crossings reached approximately 56,000, the lowest monthly tally recorded during the Biden administration. In contrast, December alone saw around 250,000 illegal crossings. This decrease in people attempting to seek asylum further supports the notion that the restrictions are having a substantial effect.

As the Biden administration continues to navigate the complexities of immigration policy, the debate between critics emphasizing fairness and advocates highlighting the need for border security will undoubtedly persist. The effectiveness and consequences of these asylum restrictions will continue to shape the administration's approach to immigration in the coming months.