WASHINGTON – Arizona Sen. Kirsten Cinema said during an unusual sit-down with reporters on Thursday that border states are facing a pandemic-era title called Title 42, which was used to expel millions of immigrants from their borders. He said he was not ready to end the measures.

The independent Cinema’s press event at the Capitol was also joined by Republican Senator Tom Tillis of North Carolina, who has helped create a framework for overhauling America’s immigration system. Both Senators Specification Title 42 has been temporarily extended for two years and expires Thursday at midnight ET. End of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

“The frustrating thing for those of us who serve in Congress, and those of us who represent border states, is that[the Biden administration]has failed to prepare for the end of Title 42,” she said. “Deliberately failing to prepare for the end of Title 42 means my state will bear the brunt of the coming crisis.”

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorcas said on wednesday The Biden administration is doing the best it can with the existing system, saying Congress needs to pass immigration reform. “The solution we are implementing is the best available within our current legal mandate, but it is only a short-term solution to a decades-old problem,” Mayorcas said.

Other officials have said hiring additional asylum officers, border guard processing officers, and medical and support staff. There are also 24,000 border agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection field agents stationed at the border, according to the administration.

Several Texas towns along the U.S.-Mexico border have declared a state of emergency, and the Arizona governor has spent the next few weeks Preparing for a possible increase in immigration.

Title 42 is a health policy that allows the United States to deport immigrants during national health emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic. The system was introduced by the Trump administration in March 2020 under a federal court order and has been in place throughout the Biden administration. Taking advantage of Title 42, the US deported her over 2.5 million immigrants in her three years.

The House of Representatives was scheduled to hold a vote later Thursday, coinciding with the end of Title 42. border security package advocated by House Republicans. The policy includes several elements of Trump-era immigration policy, including the continued construction of the border wall and the detention of children and families. Overall, they are unlikely to win much support in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Cinema, who plans to run for re-election in 2024, said: Left the Democratic Party in December. Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Phoenix Democrat, said he is running for the seat. Republican, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb.

Cinema said there were “controversial elements of implementation” in the House bill, but it could allow a bipartisan effort to find a solution if the bill goes to the Senate. said there is.

“I’m not so worried about the elements of the House GOP bill, but rather about the House GOP bill coming to us because that’s how we can work together,” she said. Told.

Washington Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chairman of the House Progressive caucuses, opposed that strategy on HR2, a bill the Republicans will vote on Thursday.

“I don’t see how passing a cruel and unfeasible bill actually opens up more room for bipartisan compromise,” said Democrats in voting against Republican immigration policy. She said at a press conference on Thursday that she said they were in agreement.

Mallorcas said border officer Immigrants who plan to transition fully to Title 8 policy and claim asylum without utilizing some of the programs established by the Biden administration, such as applying for asylum in the country they travel to and enrolling Cuban nationals in the parole program with serious consequences for Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela.

These penalties include a five-year ban from applying for asylum and the possibility of criminal prosecution if you attempt to re-enter the country.

Currently, more immigrants are deported under Title 8 than Title 42. On the southwestern border, total Title 8 exclusions exceeded Title 42 exclusions at 636,173 compared to 419,147. According to US Customs and Border Protection data.

DHS will also take effect at the end of Chapter 42, a rule that Democrats and pro-immigration advocates say is reminiscent of the Trump-era “traffic bans” that federal courts have revoked and ruled illegal.