US immigration policy known as ‘Title 42’ that allowed the deportation of migrants at the border during the COVID-19 pandemic is set to expire on May 11, 2023. The controversial policy was enacted in March 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the Trump administration, citing public health concerns. The policy allowed US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to turn away migrants and asylum seekers at the southern border without the opportunity to seek refuge in the US.
While Title 42 was challenged by immigration rights advocates who argued it violated international law, it was upheld by the US Supreme Court in August 2020. However, the Biden administration announced in November 2022 that it would begin to phase out the policy, starting with the removal of families and other vulnerable populations.
As the expiration date approaches, questions remain about what will happen to the thousands of migrants currently waiting at the border. The Biden administration has said it plans to replace Title 42 with a more targeted approach that would focus on individual health assessments of migrants and expedited processing of asylum claims. However, the exact details of the new policy have not been released.
Advocates for immigration reform are hoping that the expiration of Title 42 will mark a turning point in the country’s immigration policies. They argue that the policy was never about public health but was a thinly veiled attempt to further restrict immigration to the US.
The end of Title 42 also comes as the Biden administration faces mounting pressure to address the humanitarian crisis at the border. In recent months, the number of migrants attempting to cross the southern border has surged, leading to overcrowded detention facilities and backlogs in processing asylum claims.
As the new policy is implemented, immigration rights advocates are calling for transparency and accountability from the government. They are also urging the administration to take a more compassionate approach to immigration and to prioritize the protection of vulnerable populations, including children and asylum seekers fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries.
The expiration of Title 42 represents a significant shift in US immigration policy and could have far-reaching implications for the thousands of migrants waiting at the border. While the Biden administration has pledged to take a more humane and targeted approach to immigration, it remains to be seen how effective the new policy will be in addressing the complex issues facing migrants and asylum seekers in the US.