US sending 1,500 troops to Mexico border for migrant surge

The Title 42 programme, introduced under Trump to use pandemic measures to expel people crossing without migration documents, will end next week

The US State Department recently unveiled plans to set up processing centres for hopeful migrants in other countries, starting with Colombia and Guatemala

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Border Patrol agents in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, search migrants who were trying to enter the US undetected in April. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:12am, 3 May 2023Updated: 4:17am, 3 May 2023

The United States will deploy 1,500 additional troops to the border with Mexico, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, ahead of an expected surge of migrants when Covid-era restrictions are lifted next week.

The Title 42 programme, introduced under president Donald Trump to use pandemic measures to expel people crossing without migration documents, will end on May 11.

With the easing of coronavirus regulations – including Monday’s decision to lift vaccination requirements for inward travellers – President Joe Biden’s administration can no longer apply Title 42 for border controls.

“For 90 days, these 1,500 military personnel will fill critical capability gaps, such as ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support,” spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said in a statement.

Migrants, mostly from Venezuela, are camped out in front of Sacred Heart Church in downtown El Paso, Texas, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

The deployment will add to 2,500 troops already assisting the US Border Patrol and other agencies poised for the long-forecast jump in border crossers.