Suspense builds at border over future of US asylum rules

El Paso, Texas (AP) December,20– At the U.S.-Mexico border, tensions over the future of restrictions on asylum seekers increased on Tuesday as the Supreme Court issued a temporary order easing pandemic-era restrictions on immigration. Conservative states have won a reprieve, albeit for a short time, pushing to maintain measures that allow authorities to deport many, if not all, asylum seekers. In a final written appeal to the Supreme Court, they argued that increased immigration would strain public services such as law enforcement and health care, and warned of an “unprecedented disaster” at the southern border. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has granted time to wait for further orders and has asked President Joe Biden’s administration to respond by 5 p.m Tuesday. That’s hours before the limit expires on Wednesday.

The Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for enforcing border security, acknowledged Roberts’ order — and also said the agency would continue “preparations to manage the border in a safe, orderly, and humane way when the Title 42 public health order lifts.” Migrants have been denied the right to seek asylum under U.S. and international law 2.5 million times since March 2020 on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19 under a public-health rule called Title 42. The decision on what comes next is going down to the wire, as pressure builds in communities along both sides of the southwestern U.S. border. In El Paso, Democratic Mayor Oscar Leeser warned Monday that shelters across the border in Ciudad Juárez are packed to capacity with an estimated 20,000 migrants who are prepared to cross into the U.S.

Despite the court stay Monday, the City of El Paso rushed to expand its ability to accommodate more migrants by converting large buildings into shelters, as the Red Cross brings in 10,000 cots. Local officials also say they hope to relieve pressure on local shelters by chartering buses to other large cities in Texas or nearby states, bringing migrants a step closer to relatives and sponsors in coordination with nonprofit groups. El Paso residents Roberto Lujan and Daniela Centeno handed out fruit, Hostess cakes, soda and chips to throngs at a street corner.

Conservative states argue that repeal of Title 42 would flood the state with immigrants and strain state services such as health care and law enforcement. They also accuse the federal government of not having a plan to deal with rising immigration, but in Washington, Republicans will control the House of Representatives and make immigration a major issue. said they had marched more resources toward the southern border in preparation for the end of Title 42.

About 23,000 agents are currently stationed at the southern border, according to the White House. Immigration advocates say the Title 42 restrictions imposed under the terms of the Health Act of 1944 violate U.S. and international obligations to those fleeing to the United States to avoid persecution. I’m here. They appealed to stop using Title 42.

A federal judge sided with her in November and set a deadline for December 21st. The Catholic Bishop of El Paso Mark Seitz said on Monday that the stay will deter migrants who have no choice but to flee their homes from even seeking shelter after years of having to use it in the United States.