Biden moves to restrict asylum in bid to push back on Republican attacks

US-MEXICO BORDER - JUNE 4: US President Joe Biden rolled out a new executive order Tuesday to significantly restrict asylum claims in a bid to stave off Republican criticism of his border policies ahead of November's national election. Biden acknowledged the political dynamics at play with his new action, saying Republicans are attempting to use immigration "to attack me.” He referenced efforts undertaken by former President Donald Trump to pressure his fellow partisans into opposing a bipartisan border deal that Senate Republicans tanked in February, but maintained, "The border is not a political issue to be weaponized." "It's an extremely cynical political move, and a complete disservice to the American people who are looking for us not to weaponize the border, but to fix it," the president said in remarks from the White House. "Today, I'm moving past Republican obstruction, and using the executive authorities available to me as president to do what I can on my own to address the border. Frankly, I would have preferred to address this issue through bipartisan legislation, because that's the only way to actually get the kind of system we have now that's broken fixed." Biden's order bars individuals who crossed the southern border illegally from receiving asylum "absent exceptionally compelling circumstances," a senior Biden administration official told reporters. Individuals will only be referred to an asylum officer for a screening "if they manifest or express a fear of return to their country or country of removal of fear of persecution or torture, or an intention to apply for asylum," said the official. (Footage by Christian Torres /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)