US immigration policy is about to change
Image: Getty
Title 42, a pandemic-era immigration policy that lets US authorities more easily deport asylum-seekers, is about to end. And much like a party planner stressing over last-minute details, the Biden administration has been preparing for an expected surge of migrants at the southern border once the measure officially expires on May 11.
🏛️ The preparations: Secretary of State Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas jointly announced plans last week to open a series of new immigration processing centers across Latin America, with the goal of facilitating legal immigration into the US and reducing the number of illegal border crossings.
Then yesterday, President Biden deployed 1,500 active-duty US troops to the southern border in anticipation of a projected 2x increase in illegal border crossings once Title 42 expires. The troops will be placed in administrative roles, since military personnel aren’t allowed to act as law enforcement on US soil.
🤔 Replacing Title 42: The Biden administration has introduced new immigration laws that’ll replace the previous pandemic-era policy starting next Thursday. These include two main requirements for asylum-seekers who wish to legally enter the US:
- Migrants passing through other countries to reach the US will have to first seek protection in that country before attempting to claim asylum in America.
- Asylum-seekers will be required to utilize “lawful, safe and orderly pathways” when entering the US – such as applying for an appointment via smartphone app – or face deportation.
📸 Big picture: The US Border Patrol has made 2.54 million migrant arrests on the southern border over the past calendar year, per the latest federal data. That’s a 24% increase from the previous year and the highest number on record.
- But, but, but: officials have consistently said that arrest numbers in recent years overstate the amount of unique individuals trying to illegally cross the border, since many migrants were released back into Mexico under Title 42 and then tried to cross again.
📊 Flash poll: How do you feel about the Biden administration’s new immigration laws to replace Title 42?
See a 360° view of what media pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that the Biden administration’s approach to immigration policy is too similar to the work of former President Trump – which Biden himself used to criticize when discussing potential border solutions.
- Others contend that lawmakers (especially Republicans) should support increasing legal immigration, rather than attempting to curb it in a post-Title 42 era.
- “Joe Biden’s callous treatment of migrants has too many echoes of the Donald Trump era” –San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board
- “Earth to politicians: The U.S. has too few immigrants – not too many” –Catherine Rampbell, WaPo
- “Three weeks on the U.S.-Mexico border that could shape and even decide the 2024 election” –Phil Boas, Arizona Republic
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that the Biden administration’s immigration policies will lead to Americans bearing the cost with their lives and livelihoods due to an expected influx of illegal migrants post-Title 42.
- Others contend that the expiration of Title 42 will undoubtedly result in a surge of illegal migrants entering the US, as the federal government returns to previous decades-old protocols.
- “Biden skips need for legislative reform of immigration policy” –Washington Times Editorial Board
- “Border crisis in crosshairs of Title 42 end date” –Boston Globe Editorial Board
- “Title 42 is rightfully set to end. But are we prepared?” –Lou Correa, Orange County Register
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