Sinema Argues Extension Of Public Health Emergency ‘Proves The Need To Delay Lifting Title 42

sinema
U.S Senator Kyrsten Sinema

While Sen. Mark Kelly is being accused of suddenly bringing attention to the border crisis in order to win voters, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has been relentless in her effort to end the crisis.

Sinema saw another chance to do just that after the Biden administration’s decision to extend the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and federal transportation mask mandate. Sinema said in light of that decision, the Biden administration should also delay lifting the Title 42 Public Health Order.

“The Administration’s extension of public health emergency authorities proves the need to delay lifting Title 42 to protect the health and safety of Arizona communities and migrants. I’ll keep pushing for transparency and accountability from the Administration to help secure the border, keep Arizona communities safe, and ensure migrants are treated fairly and humanely,” said Sinema, Chair of the Border Management Subcommittee.

Last week, Sinema, Republican Senator James Lankford (Okla.) and a bipartisan group of Senators introduced legislation ensuring the Administration coordinates and communicates with border communities and puts a comprehensive, workable plan in place before lifting Title 42. The bill specifically prevents the Administration from ending the Title 42 emergency authority until at least 60 days after ending the
COVID-19 national emergency declaration. After the end of the national emergency, the Department of Homeland Security would have thirty days to submit to Congress a plan to address the impacts of the post-Title 42 migrant influx.

Sinema has also raised concerns she heard from her recent virtual border roundtable with federal and nongovernmental partners in Arizona, and other conversations she has had with Arizona DHS officials. Sinema called for DHS to launch an intergovernmental coordination effort to ensure communication between federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to strengthen cooperation.

Recently, Sinema sent a letter to President Biden expressing concerns that an abrupt end to Title 42 enforcement without a comprehensive response plan in place could harm Arizona communities and migrants and greatly increase the strain on the Department of Homeland Security, and local nonprofits that are already near or at capacity due to the current border crisis. Sinema’s letter states that Title 42 authority should not be used indefinitely, but points out that migrants and Arizona communities could be harmed if an ending to Title 42 is not accompanied by proper planning, coordination, and resources.

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