Border Cities Strained Ahead Of Expected Migrant Surge

EL PASO, Texas (AP) – Cities along the U.S.-Mexico border are setting in motion humanitarian efforts including emergency shelter, food and transportation services ahead of an expected dramatic increase in the number of asylum-seekers as pandemic-era immigration restrictions are set to expire this week. Title 42, a public health rule in place since March 2020, has been used to deter migrants more than 2.5 million times and will expire Wednesday. In El Paso, one of the busiest Border Patrol sectors, officials are seeking state and federal aid as daily new arrivals could double from 2,400 and temperatures are set to drop below freezing.