The current policy has been in effect since the Korean War. It’s difficult to compare pre-war policy to today. Border activity was mostly about taxation in those days.

The only new thing is the increased size of the sprawling bureaucracy of Customs and the Border Control, and the increased tempo of operations.

The real problem is the growth of executive power and the supine nature of the Congress and courts. This particular issue has attention due to the disgusting conduct of the current administration. We live in an era where the President believes that he posses banana republic like presidential immunity and executive privilege.