The Biden administration is considering reviving the practice of detaining immigrant families who cross the border illegally – the same policy that the current president ended two years ago because he wanted a more humane immigration system, officials familiar with the discussions reported on Monday (6).
Although no final decision has been made, the measure would be a setback in President Biden’s immigration policy, who took office promising to adopt a more humane approach after the harsh policies of his predecessor, former President Donald J. Trump.
By largely ending the practice of family detention, the current administration temporarily releases families in the United States and uses ankle monitors, traceable cell phones, or other methods to track them.
However, the government has been adopting more restrictive measures as it struggles to cope with the increase in immigrants trying to cross the border, a situation that the administration believes could worsen starting May 11, when an emergency public health measure that allowed authorities to quickly expel immigrants, known as “Title 42,” expires. This measure was implemented as a way to combat and prevent Covid-19.
The White House has yet to comment on any potential changes, but government officials reject any comparison to Trump and say that Biden’s policies are focused on finding ways to reduce the number of illegal crossings and expand immigrants’ ability to seek legal pathways to enter the country.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that no decision has been made as the government prepares for the end of Title 42.
Source: The New York Times