Migrants reportedly encouraged to cross border before Title 42 ended
Migrants were reportedly encouraged by an online "whisper network" in Mexico to cross the border into the United States before Title 42 ended, NBC News reported Saturday.
The U.S. code, which was enforced in 2020 to restrict immigration based on a public health necessity, was lifted this past week, resulting in a massive wave of migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. However, while at least 21,000 undocumented immigrants were caught entering the U.S. in the three days prior to Title 42's expulsion, Border Patrol officials told NBC only 6,200 were caught on Friday — the first day after Title 42 ended.
Part of this dropoff is likely due to "rapidly spreading online rumors and a whisper network in Juárez, Mexico," NBC reported, that encouraged migrants to cross into the United States before Title 42 expired. Described by Newsweek as "an informal chain of conversations," whisper networks first came to prominence as a way for women to disclose information about sexual harassment, but have since been implemented in other ways — such as an avenue for migrants to receive information.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The whisper network in Juárez made it clear that crossing the border once Title 42 ended would be extremely difficult, NBC reported, with Rosa, a Venezuelan migrant, telling the outlet there was "a lot of talk that after the end of Title 42 it was going to be very difficult to come into the United States."
Migrants were reportedly fearful of reprisals from Title 8, a U.S. code that allows illegal immigrants to be prosecuted. Title 8 penalties were suspended during Title 42's implementation, but the latter's expiration has now put those penalties back on the table.
As trouble continues, a number of border communities have declared disasters, and cities such as Chicago and New York City are bracing for humanitarian issues from an influx of migrants heading north.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Is pop music now too reliant on gossip?
Talking Point Taylor Swift's new album has prompted a flurry of speculation over who she is referring to in her songs
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Nuclear near-misses
The Explainer From technical glitches to fateful split-second decisions, the world has come to the brink of nuclear war more times than you might think
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
What is cloud seeding and did it cause Dubai's severe rainfall?
The Explainer The future is flooded
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published