Kelly, nearly 50 House Republicans call on Biden administration to extend Title 42, secure the U.S.-Mexico border

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) joined his colleagues demanding the Biden administration extend Title 42 provisions before the pandemic-era asylum policy ends on December 21, 2022. Title 42, implemented during the Trump administration and extended by President Biden, allows for the rapid expulsion of migrants and asylum seekers at the border.

"Border officials are predicting a surge of 14,000 migrants who will enter the country every single day if Title 42 is lifted. The Biden administration must once again extend Title 42 until it can produce an effective, long-term solution to secure our borders and reform our immigration system," Rep. Kelly said. "Republicans will re-take the majority in the House of Representatives starting in January. I look forward to working with the administration on this critical issue to protect our borders."

Rep. Kelly signed onto a letter led by Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and sent to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. In the letter, nearly 50 House Republicans demand the Biden administration and note that "Under Title 42, migrants were expelled at rates 40 percent or higher for nearly every month in FY22, which considerably alleviated congestion along our borders. As this policy approaches its deadline next week, it is no surprise that illegal crossings are skyrocketing."

You can read their letter here.

BACKGROUND

• Title 42 is scheduled to expire on December 21, 2022.
• Officials are concerned that Border Patrol stations will face acute overcrowding and Department of Homeland Security resources will be overwhelmed if Title 42 ends.
• Officials now are preparing for the possibility of between 12,000 to 14,000 migrants attempting to cross every day.
• More than 4 million migrants have illegally entered the United States under the Biden administration.