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U.S. NEWS Friday 2 august 2024
U.S. arrests at Mexico border are expected to drop 30% in July to a

new low for Biden’s presidency

By ELLIOT SPAGAT have, among many other
Associated Press provisions, increased fund-
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Arrests of ing for Border Patrol agents
migrants for illegally cross- and fentanyl detection.
ing the border to the United “There’s two choices in this
States from Mexico plum- election: the one who will
meted about 30% in July to fix our broken immigration
a new low for Joe Biden’s system and the one who is
presidency, U.S. authorities trying to stop her,” the nar-
said, raising prospects that rator says.
a temporary ban on asy- Neither ad mentions the
lum may be lifted soon. drop in border arrests this
The U.S. Border Patrol con- year, but the latest declines
tinued making arrests may play in Harris’ favor as
Wednesday, the last day of many Republicans attack
July. But the monthly tally the Biden administration’s
was expected be around new asylum restrictions as
57,000 when all are tallied, too little, too late.
down from 83,536 arrests The asylum halt would end
in June, the previous low if daily arrests drop below
mark of Biden’s presidency, 1,500 over a seven-day av-
according to two U.S. Cus- erage, a scenario that Cus-
toms and Border Protection toms and Border Protection
officials who spoke to The President Joe Biden, center, looks over the southern border, Feb. 29, 2024, in Brownsville, Texas. officials are preparing for
Associated Press on condi- Walking with Biden are from l-r., Peter Flores, Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border with arrests now hovering
tion of anonymity because Protection, Jason Owens, Chief, U.S. Border Patrol and Gloria Chavez, Sector Chief, U.S. Border around 1,600 to 1,700 day.
figures had not been re- Patrol. The halt would be reinstat-
leased publicly. It would Associated Press ed if arrests reach a seven-
be the lowest monthly half from a record-high of control. of immigration in Central day daily average of 2,500,
tally since 54,771 arrests 250,000 in December amid A volley of ads launched America and blaming her a threshold of “emergency
in September 2020, when increased Mexican en- Tuesday underscores the for a surge in illegal cross- border circumstances”
the coronavirus pandemic forcement. Since June 5, prominence of immigration ings under Biden’s watch. that was immediately met
slowed movement across arrests have fallen by half as a campaign issue in No- After displaying headlines when the restrictions took
borders in many countries, again, helping the White vember’s election. about crime and drugs, effect in June. Immigrant
including to the United House fend off attacks by The Trump campaign the video brands Harris as advocacy groups are chal-
States. former President Donald launched its first television “Failed. Weak. Dangerous- lenging the asylum mea-
Even before Biden’s Dem- Trump and other Republi- ad of the general election ly liberal.” sures in court.
ocratic administration in- cans that Democrats, in- cycle, dubbing Harris the A Harris ad, posted online, Under the halt, U.S. authori-
voked powers to suspend cluding Vice President Ka- “border czar” for an early highlights Trump’s opposi- ties deny a chance at asy-
asylum on June 5, border mala Harris, have allowed assignment as vice presi- tion to a failed border bill lum to anyone who crosses
arrests had fallen by about the border to spiral out of dent to address root causes earlier this year that would the border illegally. q

Obama and Bush join effort to mark America’s 250th anniversary

in a time of political polarization

By CHRISTINE FERNANDO hope bringing together erything in between,” Rios “This milestone is an op- our country’s founding val-
Associated Press the two recent Democratic said. “This is about cele- portunity to reflect on our ues,” the Bushes said in a
Former Presidents Barack and Republican presidents brating and commemorat- history and recommit to statement.q
Obama and George W. will serve as an example of ing that we’re the oldest
Bush will join an effort to bipartisan cooperation in democracy in the world.”
commemorate America’s a country where political The multiyear semiquin-
250th anniversary in 2026, agreements seem rare and centennial celebration
highlighting the initiative’s concerns are heightened will include events in all 50
attempts to build bipartisan over the potential for vio- states and six U.S. territories.
momentum in an era of ex- lence, especially heading It formally launched July 4,
treme political polarization. toward a divisive presiden- 2023, during an MLB game
The former presidents and tial election. between the Milwaukee
first ladies Michelle Obama Rosie Rios, a former U.S. Brewers and the Chicago
and Laura Bush will serve treasurer who heads Amer- Cubs at American Family
as honorary national co- ica250, emphasized that Field in Milwaukee.
chairs of America250, the the commission organizing It also will include a service
organization created by the celebration “has repre- project called America
Congress in 2016 to over- sentation across all aisles.” Gives, an effort to compile
see the celebration of the “This is a grassroots effort oral histories of Americans
the 250th anniversary of the that all Americans feel like and a nationwide scho- The White House is lit with the colors of the American flag to
signing of the Declaration they can be a part of from lastic contest in which stu- support team USA competing in the Paris Olympics, on Monday,
of Independence. Guam to Alaska, Fairbanks dents will reflect on what July 29, 2024, in Washington.
The commission’s leaders to Philadelphia, and ev- America means to them. Associated Press