Arizona’s Attorney General Mark Brnovich has warned that dropping Title 42, a measure implemented by the Trump administration to quickly expel certain migrants at the U.S-Mexico border, would cause “chaos” at the border. Title 42 has been used by the Biden administration to continue expelling migrants, including those seeking asylum, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with NPR, Brnovich stated, “If Title 42 were to be dropped, we would see an influx of people coming across the border, overwhelming Border Patrol and local law enforcement. It would be chaos.” The attorney general also criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the border, stating, “It’s clear the Biden administration has no real plan to deal with the current crisis at the border.”
Title 42, which was implemented in March 2020, allows U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to quickly expel certain migrants, including those seeking asylum, without giving them the opportunity to make their case for relief. The measure was intended to be temporary, but the Biden administration has continued to use it to expel migrants, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Critics of Title 42 argue that it violates U.S and international law, as it denies migrants the opportunity to seek asylum. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit challenging the use of Title 42.
Brnovich’s comments come as the Biden administration faces mounting pressure to address the growing crisis at the border. The number of migrants apprehended at the border has risen in recent months, and CBP has struggled to handle the influx of migrants. The Biden administration has also faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with some calling for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of migration.
However, the Attorney General defended the measure and said, “Title 42 is a necessary tool to ensure public health and safety. Without it, we would see a surge of migrants overwhelming our border communities and putting lives at risk.”
The fate of Title 42 remains uncertain as the Biden administration continues to face pressure to address the crisis at the border. With the Attorney General of Arizona warning of potential chaos if the measure were to be dropped, the administration will have to weigh the potential risks and benefits of continuing to use Title 42.
