WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden is reportedly expected to announce tough curbs on migrant crossings over the Mexican border Tuesday, as the issue weighs on his reelection chances against Donald Trump.

Biden is set to sign an executive order that would allow officials to deport migrants who cross illegally without processing their asylum claims first, several US media outlets reported on Monday.

The sweeping curbs, which Biden will reportedly launch at a ceremony at the White House along with mayors from border towns, would reportedly kick in whenever migrant crossings surge.

A White House official declined to confirm the reports.

“From day one, the administration has always evaluated what actions could be taken. There haven’t been any final decisions regarding what additional executive actions, if any, could be taken,” the official told Agence France-Presse.

Record numbers of border crossings during the Democrat’s time in office have put huge pressure on Biden as he trails in most polls behind Republican former president Trump.

Republicans have sought to make the border a key issue ahead of the 5 November vote, portraying Biden as soft on stopping what Trump calls an “invasion” of migration.

More than 2.4 million migrants crossed the southern US border in 2023 alone, largely from Central America and Venezuela as they flee poverty, violence and disasters exacerbated by climate change.

The figure rose to a record high of 10,000 a day in December and, while it has fallen dramatically in recent months, polls show the issue is one of Biden’s biggest liabilities in the election.