United States | The end of Title 42

Why chaos looms at the US-Mexico border

As a measure to limit migration expires, several cities have already declared a state of emergency

YUMA, ARIZONA - MAY 10: Immigrants seeking asylum in the United States walk along a border barrier on their way to be processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents in the early morning hours after crossing into Arizona from Mexico on May 10, 2023 in Yuma, Arizona. A surge of immigrants is expected with the end of the U.S. government's Covid-era Title 42 policy, which for the past three years has allowed for the quick expulsion of irregular migrants entering the country. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) — Image: Getty Images

May 10th 2023|Mexico City and Washington, DC

Since March 2020 migrants trying to cross America’s south-west border have been expelled nearly 2.8m times using Title 42, a pandemic-inspired measure. Little wonder that President Joe Biden is prepared for chaotic scenes when the policy ends on May 11th. He has ordered 1,500 troops to the border to back up Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. Several border cities in Texas, including El Paso and Laredo, facing a surge of migrants for processing, have already declared a state of emergency. The result will be tough for migrants—and, assuming their numbers stay high, politically miserable for Mr Biden.