Mayorkas: DHS prepared for illegal immigrant influx as Title 42 ends.

Challenges and Solutions at the US-Mexico Border

Mayorkas Assures that Biden Administration is Ready to Meet the Challenge

Hours before Title 42 was set to expire on May 11, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas spoke to reporters at a White House press briefing. He acknowledged that stemming the flow of illegal immigrants at the US-Mexico border would be a difficult challenge for the Biden administration, but he assured the public that they are ready to meet it.

Mayorkas emphasized that the administration still had legal means for removing illegal immigrants through Title 8 immigration law. He also mentioned that they have surged 24,000 Border Patrol agents and officers, thousands of troops, contractors, and over 1,000 asylum officers and judges to see this through.

Revamped Policy to Decrease Human Smuggling Activities

Mayorkas’s remarks follow the administration’s May 10 announcement that it will roll out a new immigration policy in preparation for the tens of thousands of migrants who continue to gather along the Mexican side of the southern border, waiting for Title 42 to expire.

The finalized rule (pdf) stipulates that illegal immigrants will be disqualified from applying for asylum in the United States if they didn’t first seek protection in countries that they traveled through on their way to the United States, with limited exceptions. The regulation is meant to decrease human smuggling activities at the southern border by encouraging asylum-seekers to use “lawful, safe, and orderly” pathways, such as seeking refuge in a country that they’ve passed through.

Mayorkas warned those considering making the trek to the border that smugglers care only about profits, not people. He urged them not to risk their lives and life savings only to be removed from the United States if and when they arrive here.

Key Takeaways:

• Mayorkas assures that the Biden administration is ready to meet the challenge of stemming the flow of illegal immigrants at the US-Mexico border.
• The administration still has legal means for removing illegal immigrants through Title 8 immigration law.
• The finalized rule (pdf) stipulates that illegal immigrants will be disqualified from applying for asylum in the United States if they didn’t first seek protection in countries that they traveled through on their way to the United States, with limited exceptions.
• Mayorkas warns those considering making the trek to the border that smugglers care only about profits, not people.

Remember: Our borders are not open. People who cross our border unlawfully and without a legal basis to remain will be promptly processed and removed.

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