Senators Prepare to Introduce Bill to Extend U.S. Government’s Ability to Expel Migrants Without Court Hearings

A group of senators is preparing to introduce a bill that would extend the U.S. government’s ability to expel migrants without court hearings beyond the expiration of a public health order that has authorized these expulsions during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to congressional officials, the proposed bill would allow the U.S. government to continue the soon-to-be terminated Title 42 border expulsion policy for two years without a public health justification. This policy is set to expire on May 11, when the national public health emergency over COVID-19 lapses.

Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego has expressed concern that border communities in his state “are simply unequipped to handle the surge of migrants” when Covid restrictions on immigration end. He has sent four letters to President Joe Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and House Appropriations Committee leaders raising concerns that the administration has not done enough to address the state’s needs ahead of the expected surge in migration.

The proposed bill is intended to provide a solution to the issue of how to handle the influx of migrants when Title 42 expires. It is unclear at this time when the bill will be officially introduced or what the outcome of the legislation will be.