This is going to cause a stir.
The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to reinstate a crucial policy, Title 42, which would allow border officials to rapidly turn away migrants at the U.S. southern border. This policy, originally introduced during the pandemic, is designed to protect public health by preventing the spread of diseases like tuberculosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is said to be finalizing an order that would designate illegal migrants as public health risks, making it easier for authorities to remove them quickly.
While the exact timeline for this policy’s return remains unclear, both the CDC and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been working to implement the change. This revival of Title 42 aligns with the Trump administration’s continued commitment to border security, emphasizing the need to protect Americans from potential health threats posed by illegal immigration.
Former President Trump first introduced Title 42 in 2020 as part of an aggressive strategy to curb the flow of migrants during the height of the pandemic. Although President Biden initially kept the policy in place when he took office, he later rescinded it in May 2023 when the pandemic public health emergency was declared over. However, with rising concerns about illegal immigration and border security, Trump is now pushing to reinstate the policy to safeguard American communities from health risks and bolster his broader immigration agenda.
This move also comes as Trump’s comprehensive crackdown on illegal immigration continues to gain momentum, with increasing pressure on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ramp up arrests and deportations. The return of Title 42 adds another layer to Trump’s tough stance on immigration, a key pillar of his campaign promises.
Notably, the number of migrant encounters at the border has significantly decreased since Trump’s return to the White House. On February 5, only 396 illegal migrants were encountered across multiple border sectors. This sharp decline contrasts with the dramatic surge in illegal crossings under the Biden administration, when some areas, like Del Rio, saw thousands of migrants crossing daily, including a major influx in September 2021 when more than 14,000 Haitian migrants arrived within days.
As the situation at the southern border continues to evolve, Title 42 could play a pivotal role in reshaping U.S. immigration policy and securing the nation’s borders.