Hundreds of migrants amass near US-Mexico wall with Covid-19 ban set to end
MEXICO CITY — Long lines of migrants have amassed this week in the border city of Tijuana, near the sprawling wall that divides Mexico from the United States, in the final days of a three-year-long Covid-19 policy that blocked people crossing from seeking asylum.
Migrants gather between the primary and secondary border fences in San Diego as the United States prepares to lift Covid-19 era restrictions known as Title 42, that have blocked migrants at the US-Mexico border from seeking asylum since 2020
MEXICO CITY — Long lines of migrants have amassed this week in the border city of Tijuana, near the sprawling wall that divides Mexico from the United States, in the final days of a three-year-long Covid-19 policy that blocked people crossing from seeking asylum.
The policy, known as Title 42, is set to expire at midnight on May 11, prompting a rush of migrants to the border, now huddled under black plastic or makeshift tents waiting to cross into the US.
"Nothing like this has been seen before," said Mr Enrique Lucero, Tijuana's director of migrant affairs.
Activists say that queues of migrants started arriving this week to the city of Tijuana, which borders San Diego, California, hoping to get ahead of a potential rush in asylum applications after May 11.
Some have attempted to cross illegally instead of waiting, they add.
The United States has insisted the end of Title 42 does not mean borders will be open.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday (May 8) he will hold a video call with his US counterpart Joe Biden on Tuesday, with migration among the key topics to be discussed.
The Biden administration and the Texas state government are sending reinforcements to the border to prepare for a possible increase in illegal immigration. REUTERS
Related topics
United States Mexico immigration COVID-19Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.
Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.
By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.
