Representative Angie Craig Set to Join Legislation Preventing Biden Administration from Lifting Immigration Restrictions without a Plan to Handle Surge at Border

WASHINGTON, DC — This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig is announcing her cosponsorship of the Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022. The bipartisan bill would prevent the Administration from lifting existing Title 42 immigration restrictions without a plan in place from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address the expected surge of migrants at the Southern border. Representative Jared Golden (ME-02) introduced the bill in the House earlier this month.

"The United States cannot revoke Title 42 without having a concrete plan to enforce our laws & ensure order in our immigration system," said Representative Craig. "The Administration's decision to do so could precipitate a significant influx of migrants arriving at our Southern border which our current system simply isn't prepared to handle – which would undermine our ability to ensure a secure, orderly and humane immigration process. We must ensure our nation is fully prepared for any and all potential ramifications before deciding to roll back this public health measure."

The bill would prohibit the Administration from ending Title 42 until 60 days after formally ending the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration. Within 30 days of ending the public health emergency, the President must submit to Congress a plan to process the migrant surge.

Title 42 is a provision of the Public Health Service Act of 1944. In March 2020, the Trump Administration invoked Title 42 to prevent the spread of COVID-19, preventing migrants presenting themselves at the border for asylum from remaining in the country while their cases were processed. The Biden Administration had largely continued the Trump Administration's policy, but announced that it will begin rolling back the policy next month.

The full bill text can be found here.

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