White House tightens its border policy

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration toughened its border policies Friday, hoping to stem a surge of women and children into the United States by sending a stronger message that unauthorized migrants will be turned away.

The steps, aimed at those entering from Mexico, include adding more immigration judges to process a backlog of asylum claims and to more quickly deport adults whose cases are rejected. New detention facilities are also being opened for families awaiting hearings.

The moves mark a recognition by the administration that the influx of thousands of children has become a humanitarian and political crisis. So far this year, 52,000 unaccompanied minors and 39,000 adults with children have been apprehended along the Mexican border - far more than normal.

The surge has become an unexpected flash point in the immigration debate, making it even less likely that House Republicans will support comprehensive reform legislation this year.

Administration officials had previously said that the main cause of the influx was an escalation of gang violence and poverty. The new measures represented an acknowledgment that there is a widespread perception in Central America that women and children would be permitted to stay.