mirrors the stringent immigration policies employed during the Trump administration, including a resumption of border wall construction.
In an attempt to address immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, the Biden administration has implemented various parole programs and established processing centers in Central America to encourage an organized immigration process. Additionally, they have deployed thousands of personnel to the border. Nonetheless, the lack of federal preparedness for the conclusion of Title 42 has drawn criticism from Republicans, Democrats representing border states, and state officials.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden acknowledged that the conclusion of the policy would lead to a period of chaos, stating, "It's going to be chaotic for a while."
Title 42, a public health policy employed to expel migrants during health emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic, was initially enacted by the Trump administration and continued by the Biden administration under federal court orders. Over 2.5 million migrants have been expelled under this policy.
Anticipating the termination of Title 42, several cities in Texas, including Brownsville, Laredo, and El Paso, have already declared a state of emergency. In addition, Arizona's Democratic Governor, Katie Hobbs, released a strategy on Monday that allows for the utilization of emergency resources if necessary.
In the U.S. Senate, lawmakers from both parties are working to pass a bill that would grant the Biden administration temporary authority, lasting for two years, to expel migrants in a similar manner as Title 42. Supporters of the bill include Republican Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina, independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema from Arizona, and Democrat Joe Manchin III from West Virginia.
However, it is unlikely that the bill will secure the necessary 60 votes for passage.
House Republicans are also pushing for their own legislation related to border issues. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy expects the Secure the Border Act of 2023 to be passed on Thursday, coinciding with the expiration of Title 42.
McCarthy stated on Tuesday that they are seeking solutions and aiming to act responsibly and sensibly with the bill. The legislation, known as H.R. 2, serves as a symbolic rebuke against the Biden administration. It includes provisions to restrict the use of an app utilized by migrants to schedule asylum appointments, resume the construction of a 900-mile border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, and allocate millions of dollars for retention bonuses for border patrol officials and the hiring of 22,000 officers.
The White House has pledged to veto the bill, and its prospects in the Senate are also uncertain.