President Joe Biden announced plans on Tuesday to implement immediate and significant restrictions on migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. This move comes as the White House aims to address immigration as a political issue ahead of the November elections per the Associated Press.

“The border is not a political issue to be weaponized,” Biden stated, accusing former President Donald Trump and leading Republicans of blocking bipartisan legislation that could have better addressed the issue.

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Biden emphasized that “Republicans have left me no choice,” and he is determined to “do what I can on my own to address the border.” He explained that the restrictions are intended to help “gain control” of the border.

The White House outlined the details of Biden’s presidential proclamation, which will prevent migrants from being granted asylum when the southern border is deemed overwhelmed. Biden has been considering this unilateral action for months, especially after a bipartisan border security deal in Congress collapsed due to most Republican lawmakers rejecting it at Trump’s behest.

The order will be triggered when the number of border encounters between ports of entry reaches 2,500 per day, according to senior administration officials. This means Biden’s order is expected to take effect immediately, as current daily averages exceed this number. The restrictions will remain until two weeks after daily encounters fall to 1,500 per day or fewer, based on a seven-day average. These figures were first reported by The Associated Press on Monday.

Once the order is in effect, migrants who arrive at the border without expressing fear of returning to their home countries will face immediate removal from the United States, potentially within days or hours. They could also face a five-year reentry ban and possible criminal prosecution.

Migrants who express fear or intention to seek asylum will be screened by a U.S. asylum officer under stricter standards than currently used. If they pass the screening, they can pursue limited forms of humanitarian protection, such as the U.N. Convention Against Torture.