Biden allows 30,000 migrants a month to apply for entry to US

JOE BIDEN will allow 30,000 migrants a month to apply for entry to the US via an app while also drastically cracking down on the numbers crossing the Usmexico border.

The US president announced the bold new immigration restrictions from the White House yesterday amid mounting criticism from Republicans as US border communities become overwhelmed.

The crisis, which has stemmed from record numbers of migrants and asylum seekers at the border, is a politically fraught issue for Mr Biden, who is expected to imminently declare his bid for a second term.

The toughened measures include expanding policies to rapidly remove migrants without letting them seek asylum, in response to pressure from antiimmigration Republicans.

“Do not just show up at the border,” Mr Biden warned in an address from the White House. In a move to appease Leftwing Democrats, the Biden administration will allow up to 30,000 migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela to legally come to the United States each month.

People in the four countries will be allowed to apply for entry using an app on their phones while still in their home countries. They will be required to find a US sponsor, pass a security screening and pay for their flight.

Successful applicants will be allowed to live and work legally in the US.

Migrants from those four countries who attempt to enter America by passing through Mexico will be automatically ineligible for the scheme.

White House aides sought to frame the scheme as part of Mr Biden’s commitment to humane but secure border policies.

The Biden administration hopes the measures will drastically reduce the number of people making dangerous journeys from those countries and across the border with Mexico.

Mr Biden said yesterday: “It’s safe and it’s humane, and it works.”

But with officials estimating that as many as 9,000 migrants try to cross the southern border every day it remains unclear how many people will take advantage of the new programme.

The move also drew swift criticism from asylum and immigration advocates, who have had a rocky relationship with the president.

However, Mr Biden said fully fixing the system requires Congress to legislate and increase funding for the border and immigration infrastructure.

Mr Biden announced he will visit El Paso, a border town in Texas on Sunday.

‘Do not just show up at the border. [The visa system] is safe and it’s humane, and it works’