NY.- A bipartisan group of senators is working to orchestrate a two-year extension on officials being able to quickly remove migrants that was put in place during the pandemic, an unlikely proposition to deal with the expected influx of people who might cross the border when that rule expires next week.
The measure is unlikely to advance in a sharply divided Senate, although its emergence this week demonstrates the deep partisan impasse over comprehensive immigration reform that has paralyzed Congress.
It also reflects a sense of desperation on the part of some members who are trying to implement any measure to prevent worsening problems at the border.
The bill’s authors, Senators Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who recently changed his affiliation from Democrat to Independent, and Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina, have for months been at the center of efforts to reach an agreement on reform comprehensive, bipartisan debate on immigration.
The upcoming expiration of that pandemic rule, known as Title 42, which includes expedited removal has long been a part of his strategy, providing a deadline for Congress to act on immigration.
Last year, the two tried but failed to win support for expanding a series of border security enhancements and a path to citizenship for migrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children.
The legislation they are proposing could extend by two years the mandate for officers to return migrants to Mexico immediately or to their countries of origin, but with an additional exemption for asylum claims, in which people cite threats of torture. or to their life or liberty if returned.
The exemption would also apply to all persons, including unaccompanied minors, who had been considered exempt under Title 42.
