On September 30, 2024, the Biden administration announced tougher asylum restrictions aimed at addressing the increasing number of asylum seekers at the U.S. border.

These new rules, effective on October 2, 2024, reflect a significant shift in the administration's approach to asylum policies, responding to voter concerns over immigration.

Under the updated regulations, daily migrant encounters must average below 1,500 for nearly a month before asylum restrictions can be lifted, a change from the previous requirement of just one week.

The new rules now count all children toward the daily limit of 1,500 encounters, whereas earlier regulations only included migrant children from Mexico.

The updated restrictions make it more difficult for migrants to apply for asylum after entering the U.S. between official crossings.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas defended these changes, noting that exceptions exist for certain vulnerable populations, including trafficking victims.

The administration encourages the use of the CBP One appointment system for asylum applications, although the demand for appointments far exceeds the available slots.

Previous asylum restrictions, implemented in June, have never been lifted due to consistently high migrant encounter numbers, averaging around 1,800 per day.

Immigration advocates, including the ACLU, have criticized the new restrictions, arguing they undermine protections for individuals fleeing persecution.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has also criticized the administration for its handling of border security, claiming insufficient action has been taken to manage migration effectively.

The Department of Homeland Security has urged Congress to take additional steps to address ongoing immigration issues.

This move is part of the administration's broader strategy to manage immigration amid ongoing political pressure and criticism.