U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) on Wednesday took the Biden administration to task over its intention to lift Title 42, a border-related public health measure invoked by the administration of former President Donald Trump.
In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) instituted Title 42 as a means to limit border travel as a public health precaution stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Biden administration last month announced its plans to lift the Trump-era policy on May 23.
During his weekly press call with reporters, Tuberville called for the federal government to levy the same public health measures on foreign nationals as are in place for American citizens.
“COVID cannot be over for illegal immigrants but still a public health emergency for the American people — it makes no sense,” said Tuberville before asserting that “public health measures we have for Americans should also be applied to people illegally coming into our country.”
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), lifting Title 42 is estimated to result in 18,000 illegal border crossings per day.
Tuberville advised that lifting Title 42 “without a plan to enforce our immigration laws or address the surge of illegal immigrants” would be “a huge mistake.” Alabama’s junior senator noted that the United States “can’t handle” the influx of illegal aliens that would result from the policy’s revocation.
“We have a major problem at our southern border,” declared Tuberville. “Some are arguing that Republicans are using immigration as a midterm talking point. But anyone with two eyes and a brain can see that what’s happening at our southern border is unsustainable. Month after month, we experience record numbers of illegal immigrants crossing the border, and the administration is allowing them to stay in our country.”
President Joe Biden has capitulated to the far-left faction of the Democratic Party on immigration policy, according to the senator.
“Now, even Democrats are saying lifting Title 42 without a plan in place would ‘be a disaster.’ And others have called for President Biden to revisit this decision. Yet, the White House is caving to the loudest, most radical voices in their party rather than doing what is right for the safety and security of our nation,” concluded Tuberville.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.