DHS and State Dept Announce Policies to Expand Entry to U.S. Ahead of Title 42 Ending on May 11

Breaking News: New Policies Announced to Expand Entry to the United States

Unprecedented Policies to Reduce Unlawful Migration and Expand Lawful Pathways

The Department of Homeland Security and Department of State have announced groundbreaking policies to expand entry to the United States. These policies will not only reduce unlawful migration but also significantly expand lawful pathways for protection. The safe, orderly, and humane processing of migrants will also be facilitated.

Border is Not Open, Title 42 Ending on May 11

The Title 42 public health order, implemented under former President Donald Trump, allowed border agents to immediately expel foreign nationals during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is set to expire on May 11. The statement clarifies that lifting the order “does not mean the border is open.”

New Policies to be Implemented in Coordination with Other Governments

The new policies are being implemented in coordination with the governments of Mexico, Canada, Spain, Colombia, and Guatemala to expand entry to the United States “through a combination of expanded lawful pathways.”

Expanded Lawful Pathways

• CBPOne App: Foreign nationals from Central and Northern Mexico can schedule an appointment using the app to present themselves at a port of entry to be processed by Border Patrol with the expectation of being released into the U.S.
• Family Reunification Parole Process: Citizens of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Colombia, as well as Cubans and Haitians, can enter the U.S. through this new system.
• Refugees: The number of refugees allowed entry into the U.S. from the western hemisphere will be doubled, welcoming thousands of additional refugees per month.
• Regional Processing Centers: The federal government is opening regional processing centers for the first time in U.S. history outside of the United States. The first processing centers will be opened in Colombia and Guatemala.

Enforcement Measures and Criticisms

The agencies have also announced they were implementing enforcement measures. However, critics question the credibility of the claim and argue that the policies appear to directly conflict with laws established by Congress.