migrants flock to the border by the thousands

These are contradictory rumors that attract migrants by the thousands, and encourages them to gather despite the crushing heat, along the border. A few hours before a change in the rules to be able to return to the United States, there are first of all those like this Colombian, who hope for an imminent relaxation. “I saw that the regulations end on May 11, so I came here to see if I could stay in the United States”, he says. And those who, on the contrary, are in a hurry to pass, taking all the risks, like this family, with a baby placed in a suitcase, to cross the Rio Grande. They fear a hardening tomorrow.

Make an appointment with the immigration services

Facing them, the United States mobilized 24,000 agents and police forces, and more than 4,000 soldiers. At the heart of this general confusion, the “Title 42” regulations, decided by Donald Trump in 2020, at the time of the Covid. It allowed the authorities to expel its migrants, without even examining their asylum application. It is this measure that expires tonight. But Joe Biden’s administration has decided to replace it with a new procedure. Migrants must now make an appointment with the immigration services before crossing the border. Without this step, they may be banned for five years from entering the United States, and even risk prison. The American president recognizes it, the situation is chaotic. Border guards fear being overwhelmed. The detention centers on the American side have already largely exceeded their reception capacities.