A group of migrants run to cross a canal near the U.S.-Mexico border fence as they intend to turn themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents before the lifting of Title 42, in Tijuana, Mexico May 11, 2023. /Reuters
The U.S. immigration restrictions known as Title 42 that have prevented hundreds of thousands of people from claiming asylum at the southern U.S. border formally expired on Friday.
"Starting tonight, people who arrive at the border without using a lawful pathway will be presumed ineligible for asylum. We are ready to humanely process and remove people without a legal basis to remain in the U.S.," said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
"The border is not open. People who do not use available lawful pathways to enter the U.S. now face tougher consequences, including a minimum five-year ban on re-entry and potential criminal prosecution," he added.
According to Mayorkas, 24,000 border patrol agents and officers are at the southwest border now to enforce the law.
The government of President Joe Biden said it is trying to balance a humane system of offering refuge to those in need with one that will prevent an uncontrollable spike in arrivals.
(With input from AFP)