The Biden Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are set to end a pandemic policy that affects U.S. migration and a lawmaker supports the reform. 

Iowa’s Third Congressional District Representative Cindy Axne says Title 42 is a policy that allows the U.S. Border Patrol and Customs to prohibit the entry of people who pose as a health risk due to exposure of COVID-19. Axne explains that Title 42 was not meant to be permanent and when the CDC determined there was no longer a threat, the policy needs to end. 

“It’s really just about when you’re in a pandemic or any other specific issue that your country is facing, the federal government has authority to put pieces in place to protect you. When that ends, you’re supposed to take those pieces out.”

Axne adds that the U.S. immigration system is broke and she wants to look for ways to fix it. 

“But I’ll be honest, as I’ve said for years, we need full immigration reform. And I’m waiting for many other colleagues to join me in that message. And I think once we do, we can solve a lot of issues.”

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection,Title 42 has been in place since March of 2020 and has more than 1.7 million expulsions of migrants and asylum-seekers. The policy is  is set to expire on May 23.