Migrants Packed at US-Mexico Border While Waiting for Asylum Limits Ruling
Tons of migrants are sleeping or sheltering along the U.S.-Mexico border, awaiting a Supreme Court judgment on whether and when to lift pandemic-era limits that barred them from obtaining asylum. Photo by John Moore/Getty Images

As the temperature drops, thousands of migrants have camped or packed into shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Wednesday was supposed to be the last day of the border restrictions before conservative-leaning states went to the Supreme Court to ask them to be extended.

The Biden administration requested before Christmas to have the limits lifted.

The court's ruling has yet to be announced, per Associated News.

At the state's request, troops of the Texas National Guard set up camp in El Paso, where volunteers and police officers were concerned that some migrants might freeze to death.

They have seen nighttime lows in the 30s, and the next few days are forecast to be even colder.

With forecasted lows in the 20s this week, the Roman Catholic Diocese of El Paso planned to open two additional shelters in local churches to accommodate as many as 1,000 people.

The limits have resulted in the expulsion of 2.5 million asylum seekers from within the United States and the rejection of most asylum seekers at the border.

Advocates of immigration have argued that the limits are unjustified because of advances in coronavirus treatment and because they violate American and international duties to persons fleeing to the U.S. to escape persecution.

A federal judge agreed with them in November and ordered Title 42 to be phased out by December 21.

Title 42 Extension

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order extending Title 42 until December 21 at the behest of several Republican-led states, including Arizona and Texas.

The Guardian noted that on Monday night, chief judge John Roberts of the Supreme Court issued a temporary order that had been anticipated by many who deal with asylum seekers.

"I hate to be the Grinch," Aaron Flores, who oversees the city's emergency services, said. "People have a right under US asylum law to apply, but the U.S. government will find a way to slow it down."

Flores predicted that the increasing migration rate spurred by widening income differences, escalating political instability in some nations, and a warming climate would continue even after Title 42 was repealed.

As a result, in December 2021, the municipality collaborated with the American nonprofit Shelters for Hope to transform a defunct motel into a resource center for migrants known as Centro de Esperanza.

Families that wish to apply for asylum in the U.S. can do so at this center, which supplies them with food, legal aid, clothing, and footwear.

Flores estimates that they see between 150 and 200 individuals every day at the moment.

Biden Administration Finalizes Its Plans While Preparing for Title 42 Lifting

According to officials who know the planning, the Biden administration is finishing preparations for the expected expiration of Title 42 on Wednesday, a border limitation enacted during the Trump administration.

Within the next few days, officials are expected to disclose the plans, which may involve the return of a controversial asylum program, said CNN.

After Roberts imposed a stay-on order lifting the policy, however, the administration may have additional time to consider its options.

The latest influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border has caused concern among Democrats and Republicans, with some calling on the White House to find a way to extend the limitations, and has once again brought immigration, a politically volatile topic, to the forefront.

According to the White House, the government must comply with a court order.

However, after receiving an urgent request from the governors of multiple Republican-controlled states, Roberts temporarily stopped the enforcement of his decision.

Roberts issued a short order requiring the Biden administration to respond to the appeal by Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. ET, indicating that the court wished to proceed swiftly.

Roberts' quick order does not foreshadow the result of the case. Still, the policy that authorizes the rapid expulsion of migrants at U.S. borders will remain at least until the justices rule on the emergency application.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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