The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to issue a public health order designating migrants at the US southern border as potential sources of disease transmission. This move is seen as a significant step in the administration's ongoing efforts to tighten immigration policies.
The order, which is still in the drafting stage, is reminiscent of a similar measure implemented in 2020 during the initial term of President Donald Trump in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. That earlier order effectively closed off the border to asylum seekers, drawing criticism from immigrant advocacy groups and leading to repeated attempts by migrants to cross the border.
Sources familiar with the discussions have indicated that the new order may focus on diseases such as measles and tuberculosis. This proposed action is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the administration's stance on immigration along the US-Mexico border, despite a recent decline in border crossings.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, a key proponent of the administration's hardline immigration policies, has been advocating for the use of Title 42, an emergency health authority, to restrict immigration to the United States. Miller has cited concerns about various communicable diseases, including severe strains of the flu, tuberculosis, and respiratory illnesses, as justification for invoking this authority.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plays a crucial role in determining the presence of communicable diseases in foreign countries that could pose a risk to the US. The implementation of public health orders under Title 42 falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security.
While some former CDC officials have questioned the necessity of such an order, citing concerns about the politicization of public health for immigration purposes, the administration appears poised to move forward with its plans.
The potential use of Title 42 has raised concerns among public health experts and advocates, particularly in light of a measles outbreak in West Texas. However, it remains unclear whether there is a direct link between the outbreak and migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border.
If the administration proceeds with invoking Title 42, it is expected to face legal challenges, as was the case during the previous administration. Despite potential opposition, the administration seems determined to leverage this authority to further restrict asylum seekers and migrants at the border.
