Biden orders migrant curbs to 'gain control' of Mexico border

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed off on an executive order to "gain control" of the southern border with Mexico, as he looks to present a tougher stance on immigration ahead of November's US election.

The long-expected sweeping measures include a temporary closure of the border whenever arrests of illegal migrants by US Border Patrol exceed 2,500 per day. Given current figures, the measure will therefore come into immediate effect as of Wednesday and will remain in place until the number of apprehensions drops back to below 1,500 per day.