Biden looks to avoid immigration headache with complicated decision on opening borders

The Biden administration faces the possibility of another immigration headache, as it weighs whether to more widely reopen US borders in the near future -- just days from the current travel restrictions expiring.

An increase in migrants crossing the US-Mexico border became a political liability earlier this year, overwhelming border facilities and making headlines for poor conditions. Now White House working groups are evaluating whether to extend the 30-day restrictions on nonessential travel, which have been in place since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The latest restrictions, announced in June, will remain in effect until July 21. The administration is expected to wind down the pandemic-era public health order allowing for the swift expulsion of migrants at the border around the end of the month in a phased approach, a source familiar with the matter told CNN, starting with migrant families. That order has been the subject of litigation. But its unwinding doesn't guarantee that restrictions on nonessential travel will be lifted.