Mayorkas says U.S. is ready for influx of migrants but acknowledges challenges

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confidently insisted on Thursday that the Biden administration is ready to respond to a massive influx of migrants expected to cross the border as Title 42 expires, but he also acknowledged the situation will be chaotic for a while.

Mr. Mayorkas addressed reporters during the daily White House briefing as the clock ticked down to the lifting of the Title 42 public health order at midnight Thursday. The government will then use its authority under Title 8 to penalize migrants who cross the border illegally, including a five-year reentry ban and possible criminal prosecution, he told reporters.

Title 42 was a Trump-era policy used to ramp up deportations because of health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As criticism mounts from Republican lawmakers, and some Democrats and media pundits, that the Biden administration responded too slowly to the looming crisis, Mr. Mayorkas tried to assure reporters that a solid federal response is in place.

“We prepared for this moment for almost two years and our plan will deliver results,” Mr. Mayorkas said.