TITLE 42- INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

News: Mexicans rush to cross US border as tougher curbs set to kick in

 

What is in the news?

       The United States is getting ready to lift COVID-19 restrictions that have blocked migrants caught at the U.S.-Mexico border from seeking asylum since 2020, a major policy shift with humanitarian and political implications.

 

Key takeaways:

       The US government intends to lift Title 42 when the U.S. COVID public health emergency ends.

       U.S. border officials are preparing for a possible increase in illegal crossings, the result of pent-up demand and the perception among migrants that they will be allowed in.

 

What is " Title 42":

       The COVID restrictions, known as Title 42, were first implemented in March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. At the time, the U.S.

       The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the order was needed to stem the spread of the coronavirus in crowded detention settings.

       Title 42 allowed border agents to rapidly expel many migrants to Mexico, but some public health experts, Democrats and advocates criticized its health justification, saying it was part of Trump’s goal of curbing legal and illegal immigration.

       Since its inception, migrants have been expelled more than 2.7 million times under Title 42, although the total includes many repeat crossers and Mexico has generally only accepted certain nationalities.


What is the plan after Title 42 is gone?

       U.S. authorities aim to process migrants in days and swiftly deport them if they fail an initial asylum screening.

       Nearly 500 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) personnel will temporarily be assigned to help with the interviews and the Pentagon will send 1,500 troops to support the Border Patrol on a temporary basis.

 

USA - Mexico:

       Total coverage is 3,142 km.

       The Rio Grande River is flowing between the USA and Mexico as a border.