Carbondale Reporter

Illinois 12th Congressional District candidate Mike Bost commented on President Joe Biden's recent actions regarding the border crisis. "Biden has said for months that he doesn’t have the authority to address the border crisis," Bost stated. He added, "Now Biden’s looking at bad poll numbers and an election approaching, and he’s suddenly found the authority to act."

"Biden has said for months that he doesn't have the authority to address the border crisis," said Bost, according to Facebook. "He blamed House conservatives, despite us having passed a tough border bill well over a year ago. Now Biden's looking at bad poll numbers and an election approaching, and he's suddenly found the authority to act. Funny how that works."

In a Facebook post, Congressman Bost shared a link to a June 4 Politico article discussing an executive order signed by President Biden. According to Politico, the executive order allows Biden to close the border to asylum seekers when there are an average of 2,500 crossings per day over a seven-day period. The threshold has reportedly been met over the past week. The order enables the removal of some migrants within hours or days, with those individuals potentially facing criminal prosecution and a five-year ban on re-entry.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep Mike Bost's June 4 Facebook post | Mike Bost Campaign Facebook page

The Hill reports that this order is an interim final rule issued by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland at the Department of Justice. When implemented, credible threat interviews of migrants will cease, and those crossing between ports of entry will be required to leave the country. The Hill further notes that individuals from Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Mexico, and Cuba will be accepted into Mexico during these expedited deportations. Asylum restrictions will not apply to unaccompanied minors. Once average daily crossings decline to 1,500 or lower, the asylum restrictions would be lifted.

Mike Bost is currently serving as the representative for Illinois’ 12th District, a position he assumed on January 6, 2015. He has 20 years of experience in the Illinois State House of Representatives where he served as House Republican Caucus Chair. A lifelong resident of Murphysboro, Bost served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1979-1982 and worked as a driver and truck manager for 24 years at Bost Trucking Service. He also joined the Murphysboro Fire Department after graduating from the University of Illinois’ Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993.