BREAKING NEWS: House Republicans are planning to vote on border security

As Title 42 draws to its scheduled close, House Republicans are planning to vote on border security legislation criticized by the U.S. bishops. Title 42, a part of federal U.S. public health law, has granted the federal government some authority to implement emergency action to prevent the spread of contagious diseases by blocking some individuals from entering the country at borders or other ports of entry. However, the policy has been controversial since its implementation in 2020, as it was seen as part of the Trump administration’s broader attempts to reduce migration rather than evidence-based virus mitigation.
Since it was implemented at the start of the pandemic, Title 42 has been invoked more than 2.7 million times to expel migrants, including those seeking asylum, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Border security and immigration have become some of the most divisive policy issues in American politics. Republicans have made what they characterize as lax border policies among their key points of criticism of President Joe Biden. Subscribe for more content like this.

As the policy's end date nears, House Republicans are expected to pass HR 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, an immigration bill that would codify many of Trump’s immigration policies, including the so-called “Remain in Mexico” policy requiring migrants to stay in Mexico while they appeal their cases in the United States. The package is not expected to be considered by the Senate, which is in Democratic control.
Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, sent a letter urging lawmakers to oppose the bill and “to support the drafting of bipartisan legislation that is more in keeping with our nation’s rich tradition of welcome.” Bishop Seitz argued that the bill “would endanger unaccompanied children and inflict harm on other vulnerable persons, decimate access to asylum, mandate damaging detention and removal practices, restrict access to legal employment, limit — and potentially eliminate — federal partnerships with faith-based and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), undermine the rule of law, and more.”
The USCCB has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of immigrants and refugees, emphasizing the moral obligation to welcome and protect them. In their statement, they stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of migration, including poverty, violence, and political instability, and urged Congress to pursue comprehensive immigration reform that would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and strengthen protections for refugees and asylum seekers. Thanks for watching, subscribe to our channel for authenticity.
(By Mehwish)