Officials predict little impact on Mesilla Valley as Title 42 ends. Here's what we know
LAS CRUCES – Officials across Mesilla Valley said they expect the initial impact of Title 42's end to be minimal in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County but emphasize it's going to be a months-long process.
The renewed focus on immigration along the U.S. southern border comes as Title 42 ends. The policy was implemented under former President Donald Trump at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It allowed border patrol agents to expel migrants with little process and superseded previous rules protecting asylum seekers. Critics of the policy say it sent vulnerable people back into violent situations. Regardless, the policy was upheld by the Biden Administration for years but will expire on May 11, just before midnight.
As a result, thousands of people are set to cross into the U.S. over the coming weeks. The situation has led the City of El Paso to declare a state of emergency and triggered a tightening of regulations regarding the U.S.' asylum-seeking process.
"While it's a large number (of people looking to immigrate into the U.S.), it is certainly a manageable number if they can be metered in and people can follow appointments," said Stephen Lopez, Doña Ana County Emergency Manager.
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Officials in the Mesilla Valley told the Sun-News that the immediate impacts would likely remain an El Paso issue. Lopez emphasized this point in an interview on May 10.
"We are not expecting much impact in the New Mexico area, and specifically Doña Ana County and the City of Las Cruces," Lopez said. "Most of what's going to be taking place in the next few days, we expect it will be concentrated in El Paso, Texas."
Lopez added that issues arise when the El Paso Port of Entry – plus services that help transport people into the interior regions of the county – become unable to meet the demand. Historically, that's when Border Patrol Agents would bus migrants into Las Cruces and Deming. Lopez added he was unaware of any immediate plans to bus people into Las Cruces or Deming this time. According to previous reporting from the Sun-News, some 17,000 people came through Las Cruces in 2019. Many were dropped off at bus stations or other transportation nodes on their way elsewhere.
"What we're being told is that there will be no drop-offs in our state," said Kim Stewart, Sheriff of Doña Ana County.
Stewart added that the Doña Ana County Sherriff's Office would have a limited role in future events. She said state and county rules regarding police involvement with border patrol operations, plus fear of jeopardizing DASO's relationship with migrant communities in the U.S., made participating in federal enforcement a non-starter.
"Given those constraints, we're not going to intervene," Stewart said.
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City Manager Ifo Pili declined an interview with the Sun-News but provided a statement about the situation.
"We have been working with NGOs, such as Border Servant Corps, and other government entities, such as Border Patrol and Homeland Security, on this matter. We are unsure what the impact will be to Las Cruces. Over the last several years, migrants have been processed through shelters in both El Paso and Las Cruces. We feel confident in the operations and will work collaboratively to manage the potential influx," the statement said.
The uncertainty of the situation is matched, officials said, by plans in place.
"I think the biggest misconceptions are that there is no plan. And actually, there are a lot of integrated plans that are already in place. The federal government has plans. We have plans," Lopez, the County's Emergency Manager, said. "We're working with the Office of Emergency Management in El Paso, they are really kind of the point, and their plan is working very well."
Justin Garcia covers public safety and local government in Las Cruces. He can be reached via email at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com, via phone or text at 575-541-5449, or on Twitter @Just516Garc.
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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Officials predict little impact on Mesilla Valley as Title 42 ends
