President Joe Biden announced an executive order on Tuesday to restrict immigrants crossing the border to seek asylum.

Biden made his announcement during a White House briefing with a group of bipartisan governors and other elected officials, mostly from border states, which included New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. 

Biden’s executive order prohibits migrants from crossing the border during crossing surges of 2,500 or more a day. He said in his remarks that migrants who make an appointment, through an app, to seek asylum before entry would not be affected. 

In addition, minors crossing alone will not be affected. Individuals who are victims of human trafficking who cross the border will also not be prohibited by the new executive order. 

Biden said he was forced to take this action because Republicans have refused to negotiate a bipartisan bill on immigration reform. He also said he does not demonize migrants, making a distinction between himself and former President Donald Trump. 

“There is a worldwide migrant crisis. There’s no limit to the number who come here,” he said. 

Biden said he wants to increase the number of machines at ports of entry that detect illegal substances, increase the number of border agents, asylum judges and asylum officers. 

Biden’s order was set to go into effect at midnight Wednesday.  

Once the border is closed, it will only reopen after the numbers of migrants drop to 1,500 for seven days in a row and stay that way for two weeks.

Lujan Grisham said in a statement that she is “encouraged” by Biden’s plan. 

“In New Mexico, I’ve long emphasized the need for more border agents to help crack down on drug and human trafficking. While only Congress can provide those resources, the President’s plan maximizes the resources that are available for border security, strategically deploying border patrol agents where they’re needed most….President Biden and I agree that the most effective way to secure our border is through comprehensive congressional action, which Republicans have repeatedly blocked. Proposed legislation they rejected included adding thousands of Border Patrol agents, investing in anti-fentanyl technology, increasing asylum officers and immigration judges, and expanding lawful migration pathways,” she said through the statement.