“US bracing for influx of migrants as Covid-era deportation measure set to expire”

US authorities fear an influx of thousands of migrants to the border with Mexico, with the scheduled end of a measure taken during the Covid-19 pandemic. Except for the ultimate twist, this device known as “Title 42” is due to end Thursday, May 11 at 11:59 p.m. DT. It allowed for the immediate deportation of migrants to Mexico, without them being able to apply for asylum. From Friday, this will be possible again and asylum seekers will be able to have their case processed by the courts. A process that can take years.

In Texas, the municipalities of El Paso, Brownsville and Laredo have declared a state of emergency to streamline the care of the many migrants already there, mainly from Latin America, but also from China, Russia or Turkey. The mayor of El Paso expects to face a wave of “12,000 to 15,000 people” at the end of the week. Up to 10,000 migrants are waiting in the nearby Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez, according to a recent count by local services, and more have yet to reach the border.

To prepare for the expiry of “Title 42”, put in place under Donald Trump and extended by the Biden administration, the White House will send 1,500 additional troops to the Mexican border. They must support the 2,500 soldiers who already assist the border police.