OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
If an administration shows weakness it is common for foreign actors to seize on those weaknesses. We have seen it with Russian President Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine and now the administration of President Joe Biden believes another mass event is on the horizon.
“U.S. intelligence officials are privately bracing for a massive influx of more than 170,000 migrants at the Mexico border if COVID-era policies that allow instant expulsions during the public health emergency are ended, sources with direct knowledge of the discussions tell Axios, Axios reported.
Border officials have used Title 42 more than 1 million times to rapidly expel migrants at the southern border without hearing asylum claims. But the Trump-era order wasn’t set up to be permanent, and senior Biden officials are preparing for its end as the virus is brought under control.
Department of Homeland Security intelligence estimates that perhaps 25,000 migrants already are waiting in Mexican shelters just south of the border for Title 42 to end.
On Wednesday, DHS Deputy Secretary John Tien asked employees “to consider stepping forward to support the DHS Volunteer Force,” citing large numbers of migrants at the southwest border, according to an email seen by Axios. The email seeks general support for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and help with data entry.
“Of course the Administration is doing our due diligence to prepare for potential changes at the border,” White House spokesperson Vedant Patel said to Axios.
“That is good government in action,” he said. “As always is the case this Administration is working every day to provide relief to immigrants, restore order, fairness, and humanity to our immigration system and bring it into the 21st century.”
The Biden administration has kept Title 42 in place, but top Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader and New York Sen. Charles Schumer, have called for it to end.
“The United States is supposed to welcome refugees with open arms, not put them in additional danger by denying them a chance to plead their case and leaving them at the mercy of criminals and smugglers,” he said. “Now’s the time to stop the madness.”
“Using the pandemic as an excuse to keep implementing the Trump Title 42 policy — that has prevented millions of asylum seekers from refuge — must end,” Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair and California Rep. Raul Ruiz said.
“The Biden Administration must end Title 42 and stop deporting Haitian migrants. Now,” Rep. Ayanna Pressley said.
The Biden Administration must end Title 42 and stop deporting Haitian migrants. Now.https://t.co/JCqVHJuzA5
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) March 17, 2022
“Title 42 is cruel — period. Depriving migrants of their legal and legitimate right to seek asylum puts lives in danger. It’s time for the administration to end the use of xenophobic, Trump-era policies to expel migrants,” House Progressive Caucus Chair and Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal said.
Title 42 is cruel — period. Depriving migrants of their legal and legitimate right to seek asylum puts lives in danger.
It's time for the administration to end the use of xenophobic, Trump-era policies to expel migrants.https://t.co/rKqFQ0ZfQD
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) March 11, 2022
But Republican Rep. Jim Jordan said that the administration should expect “chaos” if it ends Title 42.
“Democrats wants to end Title 42 at the southern border. It’s one of our last lines of defense against illegal immigration. If they nix the program now, expect immediate chaos,” he said.
Democrats wants to end Title 42 at the southern border.
It's one of our last lines of defense against illegal immigration.
If they nix the program now, expect immediate chaos.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) March 12, 2022
And he could be correct as, behind the scenes, there is concern that human smuggling cartels would exploit the situation to “generate a mass migration event.”
In an email, on Wednesday The Department of Homeland Security called for volunteers to assist in protecting the Southern border, Fox News reported.
“Once again, we need to tap into our Department’s greatest resource: the skills of our talented and diverse workforce. Today, I am asking you to consider stepping forward to support the DHS Volunteer Force,” the email said.
“[Customs and Border Protection] continues to encounter large numbers of individuals at the Southwest Border,” it said. “We are seeking your help to support our CBP frontline workforce.”
