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WASHINGTON − An emergency immigration restriction that allowed easier expulsion of migrants at the southern border has ended after more than three years, likely accelerating a surge of asylum-seekers that had already begun in anticipation of the change.
The controversial Title 42 program had been tied to the federal public health emergency for COVID-19. That also expired at the end of May 11.
The Biden administration, which had been blocked by the Supreme Court from ending the Trump-era policy earlier, has been preparing for the change for nearly two years.
Still, President Joe Biden acknowledged Tuesday that the border is “going to be chaotic for a while.”
Thousands of migrants have been waiting in Mexico for the restriction to end. Border communities say crossings already have dramatically increased.
Republicans, and even some Democrats, have accused the administration of not being prepared.
