How are Border Communities Preparing for the End of Title 42?

Communities near the U.S.-Mexico border braced Thursday for an expected influx of mostly Central and South American migrants once Title 42 asylum restrictions are lifted. 

The Details: In Texas, border cities like Brownsville and Laredo declared states of emergency. Thousands of migrants have been staying on streets in downtown El Paso, which converted schools and convention centers into migrant shelters. Cities like San Diego, California and Nogales, Arizona have seen similar preparations.

Over the Hill Already? Expectations of a migrant surge were mixed ahead of Title 42’s end. While some border counties saw influxes of migrants trying to get in before Title 42 ended — believing the change would make requesting asylum more difficult — officials in Laredo, Texas said they had not seen a major migrant influx by Thursday afternoon. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz told reporters on Wednesday that CBP holding facilities were already over capacity; Ortiz also said he believed the expected surge had already passed.

How the Media Covered It: Right-rated outlets appeared somewhat less likely to cover border communities themselves, instead focusing on border enforcement and concerns that migrants would be released “to city streets.” Coverage from the left was more likely to focus on humanitarian concerns, often framing migrants sympathetically. Language like “soaring” — previously used by some right-rated outlets to frame migrant numbers as extremely high — was now also common in left-rated outlets.