to migrants crossing illegally when asylum numbers hit more than 2,500 along the border in between legal ports of entry. the president saying he had no choice, because he says republicans in congress rejected the bipartisan bill they negotiated themselves in the senate, containing many of the very reforms republicans had been demanding. they rejected it at the urging of donald trump. of course, immigration and crossings at the border, a key issue in this presidential election. so, the question tonight, how soon could the border be shut down? abc's rachel scott leading us off at the white house tonight. >> reporter: president biden taking sweeping executive action to address the crisis at the border, announcing plans to strictly limit the asylum process in a move that will temporarily close the border to migrants crossing illegally, at midnight tonight. >> i've come here today to do what the republicans in congress refuse to do -- take the necessary steps to secure our border. >> reporter: it comes after republicans in congress rejected a tough bipartisan border deal