Over 1,000 migrants try to cross Mexico border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stopped a large group of migrants from crossing the Paso Del Norte bridge in El Paso, Texas, on Sunday after a clash. Groups tried to make a mass entry at two other places in the region—the Bridge of the Americas and the Stanton crossing—CBP said. Temporary barriers were set up at each location. Videos show border patrol agents lined up in riot gear behind razor wire. The Mexican military tried to contain the incident on the southern side of the border. The roadways were clear by Sunday night, CBP said. 

What happens to illegal immigrants in the United States? Right now, the Title 42 immigration program is still in place, which allows CBP to expel some migrants before they can request asylum. The Biden administration announced several changes to the border policy in January and earlier this month to prepare for the end of Title 42 in May. The U.S. will grant asylum if a migrant has a “well-founded fear of persecution.” The changes announced earlier this month are similar to a Trump-era policy that requires migrants to apply for asylum in any country they pass through on their way to the U.S. 

Dig deeper: Read Addie Offereins’ report in Compassion on the changes to immigration policy announced in January.