WASHINGTON–Title 42 is a bureaucratic term, a rule that allows people in the country who came from an area where a communicable disease was present to be expelled from the U.S. for health concerns. Many Republicans fear that when the rule is ended May 23, a rush of undocumented immigrants will come into the country, with nothing to be done about it.
Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) says he believes Title 42 is one of the last tools being used to stop mass illegal immigration.
LISTEN: Young talks Title 42
“The repeal of this Trump-era regulation effectively allows illegal immigrants to enter the United States at a more rapid pace,” he said in an interview shortly after landing in Washington, Monday night.
The Title 42 policy was based on recommendations from the CDC.
Young said both Republicans and De3mocrats believe the ending of the regulation is a bad idea.
“Some of my colleagues who represent border states have indicated without a comprehensive plan in place, they think it’s highly irresponsible ad tone deaf,” said Young.
His office provided quotes from both Arizona senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly.
“Today’s decision to announce an end to Title 42 despite not yet having a comprehensive plan ready shows a lack of understanding about the crisis at our border,” said Sinema, known for dissent within her party.
“This is the wrong decision. It’s unacceptable,” said Kelly.
Young said he has been to the border and contacted the administration about the situation. But, he said he believes the Biden camp shows a lack of leadership. He said he has not spoken with Vice Pres. Kamala Harris, whom the president put in charge of the border situation, since shortly after the inauguration.
“It’s regretful, but I haven’t had any interaction with the vice president since visiting with her in the earliest days of the administration,” he said. “She has not demonstrated commendable leadership when it comes to this border crisis and she needs to be held accountable, as well.”
Young said Congress can withhold funds from certain areas as a possible means to have the administration give up the idea of ending Title 42, but that’s truly a tall order.
While Congress may essentially have its hands tied, Arizona, Louisiana and Missouri sued the Biden administration Monday, over the ending of the policy.
