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This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.

Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

FACT BRIEF

Does the Biden administration plan to lift a COVID-19 rule prohibiting unauthorized entry across the US-Mexico border?

Friday, April 15, 2022

By Lisa Freedland

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YES

In March 2020, the Centers for Disease Control under Trump invoked a provision in U.S. health law (Section 265 of Title 42) that allows authorities to prohibit foreigners from entering the country when there is a risk of a disease being introduced. Over the course of the pandemic, Title 42 has blocked more than 1.7 million attempts by migrants and asylum-seekers to cross the border.

After taking office, the Biden administration continued this policy, even appealing court decisions to end the practice. However, earlier this month, Biden's CDC announced that it would be terminating Title 42, effective May 23, 2022, "after considering current public health conditions and an increased availability of tools to fight COVID-19." Officials anticipate a surge of more than 170,000 migrants across the border after Title 42 is lifted.

The CDC continues to require masking on most modes of public transportation.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Cornell 42 U.S. Code § 265 - Suspension of entries and imports from designated places to prevent spread of communicable diseases

NBC News Biden admin to lift Title 42 Covid restriction on border in May, officials say

American Immigration Council A Guide to Title 42 Expulsions at the Border

NBC News Court sides with Biden administration, preserves Covid limits on asylum-seekers for now

Centers for Disease Control Requirement for Face Masks on Public Transportation Conveyances and at Transportation Hubs

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Gigafact

Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

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About fact briefs published on Gigafact

Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.