The Biden administration has a plan to shut down the border. But it needs Mexico's help.

The administration hopes to unveil a series of executive actions that President Biden can sign but will likely have to wait for the outcome of Mexico's June 2 presidential election.

May 23, 2024, 5:30 AM CDT
By Monica Alba, Julie Tsirkin and Julia Ainsley

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is finalizing details of a new executive action that would let the president temporarily shut the southern border to migrants if necessary, and it is in talks with Mexican leaders to get their crucial buy-in before proceeding, according to multiple officials familiar with the negotiations.

President Joe Biden directed top aides to develop plans to stem illegal migration months ago, and they are eyeing a presidential authority in the U.S. Code known as Section 212 (f), which would let the president unilaterally “suspend the entry” of specific groups of migrants whenever the number of attempted border crossings grew too great.

The administration hopes to unveil that and other executive actions in June, and it has been working with Mexico to get its cooperation on some key provisions, according to multiple officials familiar with the negotiations. No final decisions have been made, and the timing could shift.

A critical consideration is the coming presidential election in Mexico. On June 2 Mexican voters will choose a new president to serve a single six-year term.

Polls show a consistent lead for the left-leaning Claudia Sheinbaum, whose candidacy is supported by the outgoing administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

More:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/biden-administration-plan-shut-border-needs-mexicos-help-rcna153620