Title 42 — the controversial, Trump-era pandemic protocol that allows immigration authorities to rapidly expel migrants — is ending in less than two weeks. That has local officials in border towns speaking out about a potential “humanitarian disaster” on the horizon if they are flooded by migrants seeking asylum, as many expect.
But now, the Biden administration is announcing a plan that federal officials hope will relieve some of the pressure. Late last week, the administration said it will open processing centers in several Latin American countries for migrants anywhere in the Western hemisphere to apply for asylum or refugee status.
The goal is to encourage migrants to go through a legal process to enter the country — and not depend on smugglers who often put them in danger.
But not all immigrant rights advocates are entirely happy with the move.
For more, the Show spoke to Chelsea Sachau, managing attorney of the Border Action Team at the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project.