10 Dems Ditch Biden on Title 42, Join GOP Calls for Retention

Ten Democrat legislators broke ranks with President Joe Biden over the revoking of Title 42. These lawmakers sided with their Republican counterparts in demanding that Biden retain the Trump-era order.

RELATED: Republican States Sue Biden Admin Over Title 42 Lifting

What is Title 42?

Title 42 is an executive order issued by then-President Donald Trump on March 20. It justifies the refusal of the US government to allow migrants to come from areas where COVID is still present.

This helped the Trump government prevent the entry of a heavy influx of illegal migrants along the US’s southern borders.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, The order helped expedite the deportation of migrants and prevented them from seeking asylum. 

President Biden earlier announced that the federal government will not extend the order after it expires on May 23. This sparked concerns that many illegal migrants will take advantage of relaxed border rules.

In fact, the order helped border officials to expel 55% of around 164,000 migrants at the border last February. Now, officials fear that hundreds of thousands of people will mass at the border once rules become relaxed.  

Ten Democrats Join GOP In Calling For Retention of Title 42

Among those who feared a new wave of illegal migrants, ten Democrats led by Senator Mark Kelly (AZ) said they support the call to retain Trump’s health order.

“Right now, we have a crisis on our southern border. Right now, this administration does not have a plan. I warned them about this months ago,” Kelly told Fox News. “It’s going to be, to be honest, it’s going to be a crisis on top of a crisis.”

Apart from Kelly, other Democrats who voiced their concerns over another border crisis include fellow Arizona Democrat Senator Kyrsten Sinema.

Another Democrat from a border state, Sinema appealed to administration officials to come up with a program before lifting Title 42.

She said that Arizona communities and other border towns bear the brunt of the government’s failure at the border. She said they’re stepping in to protect their communities.

The administration should work together with local leaders and law enforcement to put a plan in place. 

Other Democrat lawmakers who also oppose Biden’s plan include party moderates. They include Senators Chris Coons (DE), Maggie Hassan (NH), Catherine Cortez (NV), Joe Manchin (WV), and Jon Tester (MT). 

Rep. Cuellar Leads Efforts By House Democrats to Oppose Title 42 Lifting

 Meanwhile, Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX)  led efforts among House Democrats to oppose the lifting of the health directive. He is working with four other Democrats in proposing a bill to replace the Trump-era health order.

“Some of us are standing up and saying this is the right thing to do for the border,” he said. “We all believe in immigration reform, but we don't want chaos at the border. We want law and order at the border.”

Aside from border Democrats, other party members are also showing concerns over Biden’s haphazard decision. Many party seniors fear that Biden’s decision can further erode his low popularity ratings.

Eventually, Biden’s mismanagement of the border crisis can kill the Democrats’ hopes to retain both the Senate and House majorities.   

Sens Peters and Warnock Also Don’t Want Title 42 Revoked

Senator Gary Peters (MI) chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. He also fears that removing the order and allowing migrants back in full numbers can backfire badly. 

“Unless we have a well-thought-out plan,” he said. “I think it is something that should be revisited and perhaps delayed. I’m going to defer judgment on that until I give the administration opportunity to fully articulate what that plan is.” 

Georgia’s Democrat Senator, also up for reelection this year, also shared the same concern.  

“Senator Warnock does not support lifting Title 42 at this time,” his office said earlier this month. “Senator Warnock believes in protecting the humanity of migrants at the border,” the statement added.

“But before this policy is rescinded, the Administration should present a plan for how it will ensure our border security.”

Watch the MSNBC news video reporting that Democrats are having second thoughts about President Biden ending Title 42: