Title 42: What it is and Why Troops are Being Sent to the Southern Border
Title 42 is a Trump-era policy set to expire on May 11 that has limited the rights of asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. With its impending end, authorities are anticipating a surge of migrants attempting to cross into the United States, prompting President Biden to send 1,500 U.S. troops to the southern border (Fox News).
The border has already seen gatherings of asylum-seekers, who have been camping out on sidewalks and staying at shelters in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. In response to this growing issue, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser declared a state of emergency (The Texas Tribune). As Title 42 restrictions end, the Biden administration is bracing for a further influx of migrants at the border (NBC News).
In an effort to manage the situation, the Biden administration has reached an agreement with Mexican officials to address migration as Title 42 expires (ABC News). In addition to deploying 1,500 additional troops to the border, the administration is launching migrant processing centers in Central and South America (Axios).
The situation at the border has created challenges for both U.S. and Mexican authorities. With more migrants expected to try crossing when Title 42 ends, the deployment of U.S. troops is viewed as a necessary step to maintain some order during the transition. The 1,500 active-duty soldiers will join the approximately 2,500 National Guard members already stationed at the U.S.-Mexico border (Los Angeles Times).
While Title 42 has been criticized for its strictness, the forthcoming expiration raises concerns about how the U.S. will handle the anticipated influx of migrants. The deployment of troops to the border and agreements with Mexican officials indicate a proactive approach by the Biden administration in dealing with the consequences of Title 42’s end. However, only the coming weeks will show whether these measures will prove to be effective in managing the migration surge.
