Immigration advocates slam Biden administration for its Title 42 support

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San Diego – Immigration advocates call for an end to a controversial Trump-era policy that expels people at the border without due process, allegedly in the name of public health, a policy also used against Haitian immigrants to the Texas border.

The Biden administration, however, continues to fight for the policy, known as Title 42, even though a federal district court has ordered the administration to stop using the law. The Biden administration is challenging this court ruling.

Established in March 2020, Title 42 is based on an obscure public health law of 1944 to allow the summary deportation of non-nationals at the border. Immigration organizations say Title 42 violates US asylum laws and is based on “bad science”, while public health experts warn it “was used to arm public health and undermine the nonpolitical nature of the CDC “.

Many immigration advocates say they are frustrated with the Biden administration’s response to immigration. “If you ask an organization along the border, they’ll tell you they’re failing on immigration,” said Dulce Garcia, executive director of Border Angels, a nonprofit that works to end the deaths along the US-Mexico border.

“The Biden administration has good intentions but has not been ready to act quickly to correct the Trump administration, the biggest [mistake] being title 42, ”she added. “The camps [in Tijuana] are so bad, mothers are ready to send their children [to cross the border] alone because it might be safer. “

Enrique Morones, founder of Gente Unida, a frontier human rights coalition, was also disappointed, citing the Biden administration’s choice to maintain Title 42 policy; his back and forth trips with “Remain in Mexico,” a policy that forces asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their asylum claim is pending; and Vice President Kamala Harris’ comments to Central Americans not to migrate to the United States.

Garcia explained that Title 42 has resulted in an increase in the number of people living in what she described as “tent cities” on what was once a port of entry on the Mexican side of the border. This port of entry has also been closed due to COVID-19, she said.

Title 42 pushes people to cross the desert because there is no hope of being able to cross it legally, she explained. Border Angels, an organization known for its “water drops”, strategically leaves water and other humanitarian supplies for those crossing the desert.

According to Garcia, the group has seen the materials they leave in the desert being consumed quickly and an increase in distress calls from people whose family members have decided to cross the desert.

Even though Title 42 has made it nearly impossible for migrants and asylum seekers trying to come to the United States, some immigration advocates see a double standard: Americans can enter Mexico and return with little or no vaccine testing or evidence, but asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants are urged to stay away due to public health concerns.

Migrants who could have COVID-19 are considered a threat to the nation, but not the American who went to Mexico to party and returned, underlined Fr. Ramiro Sanchez Chan, priest of Our- Lady of Guadalupe in Chula Vista, California. He considers this to be morally wrong.

During pastoral visits over the summer to the San Diego Convention Center, used as a detention center for children waiting to be matched with their parents or godparents, Chan observed that immigrants entering the United States followed the precautions of COVID-19 safety by wearing masks and staying socially aloof.

Advocates agree that reform and changes in immigration policy are needed immediately.

“It doesn’t help to act out of fear. There is a sure way to continue helping even during a pandemic,” said Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego Ramn Bejarano.

“Decade after decade, immigration has been a problem for the United States. It’s not going anywhere, ”he said. “If there is a good comprehensive reform, it will be good for all of us.”

Catholics have a special call to respond to what is happening at the border with a welcome, Catholic advocates have said.

“They [migrants] knock on your door. You have to respond, “Chan said.” You have to decide whether you want to help or not. “

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