WASHINGTON, D.C. - Friday, May 12 is the first full day that Title 42, a pandemic-era immigration policy, has ended. It allowed federal agents to quickly turn away some migrants. Right before Title 42 expired,  House republicans passed a sweeping immigration bill.  

“Securing the borders is one of our top priorities,” said Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R- CA).   

On a 219 to 213 vote, the House passed the “Secure the Border Act”.  

“This bill secures the border from president Biden's record border crossings, record carelessness and record chaos,” said Speaker McCarthy.  

It’s a sweeping immigration bill aimed to build more of the border wall at our southern border and impose new restrictions on asylum seekers. This legislation passed just hours before Title 42, the pandemic-era immigration policy expired. It allowed federal agents to quickly turn away some migrants. 

House democrats call this bill a waste of taxpayer money on a border wall and will further introduce chaos into our immigration and asylum system.  

Following the vote, a couple of House republicans who voted for the legislation released their own statements.  

Representative Glenn Thompson (R- PA) said: 

“We have a clear emergency at our southern border. Illegal drugs and unaccompanied minors are pouring over the border, creating unmanageable chaos, and preventing legitimate asylum seekers from having their cases heard. The hardworking men and women of the Customs and Border Protection Agency are doing their best to manage an untenable situation. The Administration is not making this easier on them, nor have they acted to address this crisis. Today’s bill illustrates the House’s commitment to securing our border and regaining control of our immigration process, which is fair, humane, and adheres to the rule of law.” 

“The White House had two years to plan for the end of Title 42,” said Speaker McCarthy. “We all knew the deadline, but the white house had no plan, missed the deadline and bumbled into another crisis.” 

But the Homeland Security Secretary says otherwise.  

“We have planned for this moment for two years,” said Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas.  

Mayorkas said after Title 42 expires, those who try to cross into our country illegally will suffer more severe consequences.  

“They could suffer a five-year ban and can face criminal prosecution if they attempt to cross again,” said Mayorkas.   

That immigration legislation has essentially no chance in the democratic-controlled Senate.