Limits on asylum at US-Mexico border to end on May 23

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that it was ending its policy of limiting asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.

By using public health powers, the government could shirk its responsibilities to provide haven for people fleeing persecution. Democratic politicians and immigration advocates criticized the use of public health powers. President Donald Trump implemented the policy in March 2020. As a result, more than 1.7 million migrants trying to enter the country have been expelled.

Title 42 authority will end on paper, but will take effect on May 23, as it was a public health law from 1944 that prevented communicable diseases. Earlier this week, the Associated Press reported the change.

Department of Homeland Security has been instructed to step up efforts to provide vaccines to migrants at the border in the next two months, according to the federal order.

The CDC director has determined that an order suspending the right to introduce migrants into the United States is no longer necessary in light of current public health conditions and the increase in effective vaccines and therapies available to fight COVID-19, the CDC said in a statement.

1st April 2022