Title 42 has expired. Here’s what’s happening at the border as the immigration policy ends
SOMERTON, Ariz. — U.S. immigration policy Title 42 expired Thursday night, marking the end of restrictions implemented by the Trump administration amid the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed the government to prevent asylum seekers from entering the country.
In the hours leading up to Title 42’s termination, migrants continued to gather near ports of entry on the southern border with Mexico, hoping for a new opportunity to enter the U.S. as confusion over the imminent policy changes and their impact persisted. On Friday, government officials said they had not seen an influx of crossings overnight or any significant increase in migration.
The lifting of Title 42 was long anticipated but had been previously blocked by federal court rulings. Biden administration officials stressed this week that they would be prepared for the moment by instituting a limit on asylum for those who crossed without authorization and by significantly increasing resources to the border, among other actions.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas issued a warning Thursday that “starting tonight,
