With “Title 42” a rule has expired in the USA that has simplified deportations. Tens of thousands of people are now waiting at the border in Mexico hoping for asylum. The town of El Paso, Texas, prepares for their arrival.
A final inspection of a former school building in El Paso, Texas. Laura Cruz-Acosta is the city’s spokeswoman, checking to see if everything is ready to welcome new migrants from across the border.
In classrooms and in the gym, her colleagues have set up several rows of cots. Another former school and convention center have also been converted into emergency shelters. A total of 4000 additional beds are now available.
How many people will come?
“We’re doing this because we’re expecting a lot of people. We don’t know exactly how many. But we know that the shelters of the aid organizations are full and we have to support them. That’s why our mayor declared a state of emergency and we were able to open the shelters says Cruz Acosta.
Of course, caring for people costs money. El Paso has already received $27 million from the US government this year. But the city really needs more – agrees John Martin, manager of a shelter for the homeless.
“We’re worried, you could also say we’re scared because we don’t know how many will come. El Paso is prepared, but I’m afraid it won’t be enough,” explains Martin.
“Title 42” – deportation without asylum procedure
The so-called Title 42 expired at midnight US Eastern Time. Ex-President Donald Trump introduced this rule three years ago. Because of the danger posed by the corona pandemic, migrants were allowed to be sent straight back to Mexico without going through an asylum procedure.
Now people should be able to register in advance via app and soon also in asylum centers in Latin American countries. But people are not allowed to enter the country just like that, stresses US Secretary of the Interior Alejandro Mayorkas.
I want to make it clear: our borders are not open! Our new rules make it clear: Anyone who comes to the USA illegally has no right to asylum.
Thousands who had been waiting in northern Mexico for a long time therefore crossed the border shortly before the end of “Title 42” – in the hope of better opportunities, like José from Venezuela. “There was a lot of talk about the fact that you no longer have a chance of getting legal status if you’re not already in the country. I had to make a quick decision and dared to cross the border,” says the man.
Quickly across the border
Everywhere on the streets you can see the migrants who have arrived in the last few weeks and some have to sleep on the streets. Every day, the city has mountains of rubbish cleared away and mobile toilet blocks set up. The side streets stink of urine. Residents and business people have put up notices in front of their backyards – with the request that the migrants should not lie down there.
Until shortly before the end of “Title 42”, the city administration made sure that the people who had just arrived from El Paso continued their journey, says Gabriel from Venezuela. “They gave us paper wristbands. We use them to get into the homeless shelter, get something to eat, a shower and fresh clothes before we continue our journey.”
There is a lot of tension in the city now, because everyone is wondering: What will the next few days and weeks bring?