Migrants walk near the Rio Bravo river before crossing into the United States with the intention of turning themselves in to the U.S. Border Patrol agents to request asylum, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, June 4, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez
US President Joe Biden on Tuesday instituted a broad asylum ban on migrants caught illegally crossing the US-Mexico border, a major enforcement move in the run-up to November elections that will decide control of the White House.
Migrants caught crossing illegally could be quickly deported or turned back to Mexico under the measure, which will take effect just after midnight. There will be exceptions for unaccompanied children, people who face serious medical or safety threats and victims of trafficking, the US Department of Homeland Security said.
