ICYMI: Momentum Builds for Golden-Led Bill to Prevent Administration from Lifting Immigration Restrictions without a Plan to Handle Surge at Border

WASHINGTON — Following the introduction of the bipartisan Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022 by Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and Anthony Gonzales (TX-23), the 58-member House Problem Solvers Caucus last week announced their endorsement of the bill. Golden and Gonzales’ legislation would prevent President Biden from lifting existing Title 42 immigration restrictions without a plan from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address the expected surge in border crossings.

“We’ve been working hard to build support for my and Rep. Gonzales’ bipartisan bill to stop the White House from rolling back Title 42 immigration restrictions without a comprehensive plan to address the resulting surge in migration over the Southern border,” said Congressman Golden. “The bottom line is that the administration is unprepared for a drastic increase in border crossings, which could create crisis conditions that are dangerous for everyone. I’m grateful to my Problem Solvers Caucus colleagues for their willingness to take action on this critical issue.” 

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that, effective May 23, 2022, it would be ending the Title 42 public health order that has been enforced at our nation’s border since March 2020. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have used Title 42 authorities of the U.S. Code to enable immigration officials to rapidly expel certain categories of undocumented migrants to Mexico, or their countries of origin, to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, such as COVID-19.

Golden’s legislation establishes agency oversight by Congress and increases intergovernmental transparency to deal with a post-Title 42 border environment. It delays the Administration from ending the Title 42 emergency authority until at least 60 days after ending the COVID-19 national emergency declaration. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security and impacted stakeholders, to within 30 days following the announcement of the intent to terminate the health declaration, to provide Congress a comprehensive plan to address the expected surge of migrants at the Southern border.

If a plan is not submitted to Congress within the 30-day window, the lifting of Title 42 would be delayed until 30 days after a report is submitted. 

This month, Golden introduced the bipartisan DHS Rural and Remote Hiring and Retention Strategy Act of 2022, a bill to help address Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel shortages in rural areas ahead of the surge. Last month, Golden voted to substantially increase funding for local law enforcement and border patrol officers as part of the omnibus government funding bill. The bill was passed by the House and signed into law by the president at the end of the month. 

The full bill text can be found here. 

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