As US debates Title 42 policy, asylum seekers left in limbo
Al JazeeraThe Supreme Court intervened on Monday to block the controversial immigration policy’s scheduled expiration this week. In November, a US District Court judge declared the policy “arbitrary and capricious”, ruling to end Title 42. “The only real solution,” the document states, “is for Congress to fix our broken and outdated immigration system.” The Biden administration, meanwhile, has signalled it wants Title 42 to expire, though the White House is said to be considering a policy that would cut the number of refugees and migrants eligible for asylum from countries like Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua and Cuba. “Once the Title 42 order is no longer in place, DHS will process individuals encountered at the border without proper travel documents using its longstanding Title 8 authorities,” Mayorkas said. “Title 42 or not, those unable to establish a legal basis to remain in the United States will be removed.” Under Title 42, some asylum seekers were sent back to their home countries, but most were simply taken back to Mexico, making it easier for them to try crossing the border again.