Changes in immigration policy announced by the US government and the deployment of 1,500 active-duty soldiers to the southern border made headlines.
Just days after lifting Title 42, a health policy implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Joe Biden administration assured that immigrants entering the country illegally would be expelled.
This was confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorcas at a news conference in Brownsville, Texas.
“The border is not open. It has not been opened and will not be opened after May 11th. The smugglers who take advantage of vulnerable migrants are spreading disinformation. They are spreading lies to lure vulnerable people to the southern border and only those people will be sent back.” Fox News.
The administration has intensified its preparations to end the current regulation a few days ago, including the deployment of 1,500 soldiers to the southern border, as well as the establishment of immigrant processing centers throughout Latin America.
He confirmed that starting next week, Title VIII, the policy that allows for “getting people out very quickly,” which includes a ban on re-entry and criminal prosecution, will be enforced.
Under this rule, in theory, migrants’ applications would be blocked if they crossed the border illegally and did not apply for asylum in a country through which they have already traveled.
With this criterion, the consequences would be much more serious, Mayorcas noted.
An official from the Department of Homeland Security also explained to the press that in recent months the number of expulsion flights has increased and that they will continue under Title 8.
Previous news reports stated that the army’s deployment to the border is at the request of the Department of Homeland Security, and that the troops will remain there for 90 days.
President Biden defended that decision on Friday, explaining that the troops were sent to assist border patrol, not law enforcement.
“I’ve asked this Congress for help with what they need at the border,” Biden said in an interview. MSNBC They were informed that in addition to the troops, asylum judges would be sent to pass verdicts at the border.
Critics objected to the president’s decision to allow the Title 42 policy to expire without defining a specific plan.
Former Vice President Mike Pence (2017-2021) has criticized the administration, stating that the immigrant “scramble” at the border is a “direct result” of its immigration policies.
“There’s a storm coming, and 1,500 troops heading to the southern border to do the paperwork won’t make a difference,” Pence said.
Troy Miller, the top US Customs and Border Protection official, recently told Congress that his agency expects up to 10,000 immigrants to arrive each day after the end of Title 42, which would nearly double the daily average for March.
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