Rep. Gallego Statement on the Termination of Title 42
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) released the following statement in response to today’s termination of Title 42.
Statement from Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03):
“Title 42 is a pandemic-era, Trump-instituted policy that was a band-aid solution for our nation’s broken immigration system in dire need of comprehensive reform. But now Arizona’s frontline communities are bracing for a potential surge at the border. Federal agencies have had time to plan, but their efforts have fallen short. I’ve spoken with local mayors, county officials, and non-profit leaders across Arizona about what they need, and I will continue to push to get our border communities more resources. Federal officials must do everything in their power to support these frontline Arizona towns and counties.”
Last week, Rep. Gallego held one-on-one discussions with border town mayors and county officials to discuss what they needed ahead of the end of Title 42. While the specific needs and requests of each border community varied, one similarity was clear: the administration has not done enough to meet their needs, and these local officials require additional resources, personnel, and funds to ensure our border stays secure and that the processing of asylum seekers is done in a humanitarian way.
In response, Rep. Gallego sent four letters to Biden administration officials and Congress requesting the specific resources Arizona communities need to reduce the burden that the end of Title 42 will have on them and their residents.
On Tuesday, after Rep. Gallego and his staff conducted another round of calls, Rep. Gallego told POLITICO that an emergency declaration should be on the table. On Thursday, NBC News reported local leaders in the cities of San Luis, Somerton, Nogales, and Douglas, as well as Yuma County, all released statements echoing Rep. Gallego’s call for an emergency declaration consideration.
And last week, Rep. Gallego released a statement noting the 1,500 troops the Biden administration planned to send to the border were needed.
As Arizona’s frontline border communities deal with the surge in the coming days, weeks, and months, Rep. Gallego will continue working to get these towns and counties the resources they need to manage the surge.