Immigrants and activists in Mexico celebrate end of Title 42

A judge rules that Title 42 must stop on December 21 next year, as asylum seekers have renewed hope.

In an expected act of justice, activists and migrants in Mexico are waiting for the United States to repeal the controversial Article 42 that prevents asylum seekers from being granted asylum in northern countries.

“I tried to go to Chaparral there, but they sent us back because they said they wouldn’t give asylum there,” Francisco Lopez told VOA in Tijuana, Mexico.

This week, a federal judge ordered the Biden administration to take steps to repeal the immigration policy on Dec. 21.

For more than two years, people seeking U.S. protection have been summarily deported or turned away at southern border crossings. The administration of then-Republican President Donald Trump seized on the measure when the COVID pandemic hit in March 2020.

Like many other young fathers, he is already in the U.S. thanks to a temporary worker program that allows Mexican laborers to enter.

“I already had a work visa, but because of the pandemic, the hotel was closed, and I went to the US to work in 2019,” he said. Now he is fleeing violence in his hometown and giving up waiting for a visa H2B.

“There was a lot of crime in Guerrero, a lot of massacres, and we had to emigrate,” he explained.

possible immigrant clustering

Ultimatum to White House puts those charged with supporting immigrants on guard.

“In due course, you may start to see more waves of immigration, even in the border areas of the country, of which Tijuana is certainly one,” predicts José María García of Alianza Migrante de Tijuana.

It should be noted that migrants stopped at the border will continue to be sent back to Mexico until Article 42 ends in December.

“While the moratorium is in effect, DHS will continue to process individuals under CDC Public Health Order 42 and will deport single adults and family units found at the Southwest border,” a spokesperson said this week. Homeland Security (DHS).

The coalition has asylum within its capacity and expects more migrants to arrive, but welcomes judicial rulings that will ultimately help asylum claims.

The lack of clarity on how a Biden administration will handle asylum seekers has left many uneasy.

“That way people don’t flood the checkpoints and cause chaos for us like the Haitians do,” said Enrique Lucero, Tijuana’s current municipal supervisor for immigration. Local authorities estimate there are about 6,000 people in shelters in the city alone waiting for a chance to apply for asylum in the U.S.