According to sources familiar with the situation, the Biden administration is likely to implement measures next week that will make it more challenging to lift its existing policy that prohibits asylum for migrants who cross the southern border without authorization. This upcoming decision signals that the restrictions initially put in place by President Biden in June may become a long-term aspect of the asylum system, rather than a temporary solution, as they have already contributed to a noticeable decline in border crossings.

This policy shift occurs at a pivotal juncture in the presidential campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris, who is working to counter ongoing critiques regarding the administration's approach to border issues. As part of her efforts, Harris is scheduled to visit the Arizona border on Friday. The new restrictions mark a considerable departure from the traditional U.S. commitment to permit asylum applications from individuals regardless of their method of entry, fundamentally transforming years of established practices at the southern border.