A measure that allowed the United States to deny entry to its territory since the beginning of the “Covid-19” epidemic expired at 23:59 Thursday (03:59 GMT Friday), in a change that confused a large number of migrants at the borders and raised fears of a “chaotic” flow to them.
In preparation for the end of the procedure called “Chapter 42”, President Joe Biden’s government imposed new restrictions on the right to asylum, and mobilized thousands of security forces, warning that the border with Mexico was “not open.”
“Our borders are not open and those who cross our borders illegally and without a legal basis to stay (on US soil) will be expelled,” said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorcas.
However, he added, “We are clear about the challenges that we may face in the coming days and weeks, and are ready to respond to them,” noting that “a large number of expatriates” registered in “a number of regions.”
President Biden recently said it would be “chaotic for a while”.
--In preparation, the federal state mobilized more than 24,000 security forces and law enforcement officials at the border, along with 4,000 soldiers.
And “Chapter 42”, whose goal was to limit the spread of “Covid-19”, allowed the US authorities to immediately return all immigrants entering the country, including asylum seekers. It has been used 2.8 million times in three years.
Immediately after the law expired, new restrictions on asylum, completed by the Ministries of Justice and Homeland Security, entered into force on Thursday evening.
