On May 11th, the United States immigration policy known as “Title 42” expired. This policy was implemented in March 2020 as a public health measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it allowed the government to expel immigrants, including asylum seekers, without giving them the opportunity to apply for protection in the US.
The policy has been controversial since its inception, with critics arguing that it violates both US and international laws on asylum and puts vulnerable individuals at risk of harm. Advocates for immigrant rights have been calling for an end to Title 42 for months, and the expiration of the policy is seen as a significant victory.
Once Title 42 is lifted, the regular immigration law, known as Title 8, will take effect, enabling migrants to apply for legal means to enter the United States. According to Homeland Security officials, it is expected that around 10,000 migrants will attempt to cross the US border every day.
However, it’s important to note that the end of Title 42 does not necessarily mean an end to the challenges immigrants and asylum seekers face to seek asylum. The Biden administration has not yet announced what will replace the policy, and it’s likely that new rules and regulations will be put in place. Additionally, the backlog of asylum cases is already enormous, and it’s unclear how quickly the government can process them.
Source: nbcnews
