EXCLUSIVEHouse Republicans warn the Biden administration of a “serious risk” if a Trump-era public health order that allows migrants to be quickly returned to their homeland comes to an end – something activists have urged President Biden.
“Simply put, you can’t separate the border crisis from the pandemic,” says the letter from 26 Republicans, led by Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas. “Revoking this injunction would harm Americans and immigrants alike, while pushing our resources to unsustainable levels.”
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In March 2020, the Trump administration introduced “Title 42” public health restrictions in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions allow for the rapid expulsion of migrants at the border for public health reasons. Administration officials said the order allows migrants to be returned to their country of last transit or origin – often within minutes and without detention.
Lawmakers cite statistics that more than 200,000 migrants have been displaced in the past four months alone, even as migrant facilities remained largely empty in the latter part of the Trump administration.
But the Biden administration has taken a number of steps to reverse Trump-era policies. Most dramatically, it has tried to impose a 100-day hiatus on deportations – though this was blocked by a Texas lawsuit. It has also ended the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) – by admitting migrants detained in Mexico under the program.
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Republicans have raised the alarm that this could trigger another crisis at the border, pointing to reports of full migrant facilities and border agents being forced to release migrants into the US – a policy known as ‘capture and release’ that was ended under the previous administration.
The Biden administration has so far remained silent on Title 42 and has not indicated that it will turn attitudes, much to the anger of migrant and leftist advocacy groups.
Republican lawmakers pointed to the damage that the repeal of an injunction could do to border communities, health workers and border law enforcement.
“Weakening or repealing Title 42 will jeopardize our CBP officials, place additional burdens on the health system in border communities, and encourage more illegal immigrants to come to the US at a time when we need to prioritize the health and safety of Americans. ‘says the letter.
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Lawmakers are urging Biden to “seriously consider the high risk of admitting undocumented, untested individuals into our country.”
“With all the efforts the Trump administration, and now your administration, has taken to test, prevent and treat the citizens of our nation and slow the spread of COVID-19, repealing Title 42 would be illogical and indefensible. are, “they said.
Republicans have voiced grave concern about Biden’s immigration agenda and seem likely to oppose an immigration proposal introduced last week that would give millions of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.
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Meanwhile, Biden’s candidate to lead the Justice Department, Merrick Garland, said this week that he “hadn’t thought” about whether illegal border crossings should remain a crime.
Well, I haven’t thought about that question. I just haven’t thought about that question, ”Garland said. “I think the president has made it clear that we are a country with borders and concerns about national security. I don’t know of a proposal to decriminalize, but still make it illegal to enter. I just don’t know the answer to that question. I hadn’t thought about it. “