WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reports today suggest that the Biden administration is planning in May to end the controversial public health policy that allows officials to turn away migrants at the border.
Initially implemented by the Trump administration in March 2020, Title 42 has since proved extremely dangerous for migrants, failed to impose order at the border, and benefited smugglers and cartels. Experts agree that any public health rationale for the policy has long since faded.
The potential wind-down appears to coincide with the timeline for a new asylum rule the administration announced last week. Today the Department of Homeland Security released a fact sheet on its preparations for potential increases in migration, including the new rule.
“We can — and must — do better than Title 42 at the border,” said Ali Noorani, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. “I am glad the Biden administration is working to put the pieces in place so that it can process migrants in a humane, orderly fashion as it winds down Title 42.
“In addition to a clear plan from the administration, a safe and efficient border approach requires action from Congress. Regardless of administration policy, we can expect to see sharp seasonal increases in migration — and their subsequent exploitation by cartels — until we pass meaningful reforms.
“Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should seize this opportunity to advance permanent solutions that modernize our border policies and address the root causes of Central American migration.”