(NewsNation) — The Trump administration is planning to revive the Title 42 policy, which allows immigration officials to expel migrants over disease concerns, CBS News first reported.
If Title 42 were enacted again, officials could remove migrants from the United States by citing the potential spread of diseases such as tuberculosis, according to internal government documents obtained by the outlet.
ICE directed to find and remove unaccounted for migrant minors
The border policy was first enacted in Trump’s first administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. President Joe Biden kept the measure in place, allowing it to expire in 2023 when the public health emergency ended.
It’s unclear when the measure could be reinstated, though CBS News says the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security have been preparing for change.
Donald Trump’s early border actions
This policy move would be the latest in Trump’s sweeping efforts to increase deportations and tighten the nation’s southern border. In just his first week back at the White House, the 47th president signed a slew of executive orders to curtail immigration and deport unauthorized migrants already in the country.
Other orders:
Shut down the CBP One app
Designated cartels as foreign terrorist organizations
Attempted to end birthright citizenship
Shuttered the U.S. refugee program
He also permitted immigration officers to enter sensitive locations including schools and churches to conduct raids, though a federal judge partially blocked the policy Monday.
Activists in LA mobilize against deportation efforts
Though the new policies have led to a steep drop in border crossings compared to last year, both “border czar” Tom Homan and Trump are seemingly displeased with the number of arrests and deportations carried out.
One source with knowledge of the matter said the president told aides that, “The numbers are too f—— low.”
“He wants more,” the source said of the president’s demand.
Similarly, Homan said, “They’re doing a great job, but they’ve got to do more.”
NewsNation’s Jorge Ventura contributed to this report.
