Thousands gather seeking asylum as Title 42 comes to an end

The nation's immigration policy is set to change significantly tonight as title 42 comes to an end. It's a rule that was put in place during the COVID pandemic which allowed the U.S. to deport most migrants immediately. Now thousands of people have gathered at the southern border hoping to gain asylum in the U.S. NBC's Chris Palone has the latest.

Just hours before title 42 expires, focus is on the southern border where crowds of anxious migrants are growing. Many desperate people are fleeing their home countries believing it will be easier to enter the U.S. once the pandemic era policy ends. At least I know that my granddaughter will have a better future here. And one day, one day we'll be able to see each other again. But the Biden administration is trying to convince people not to come to the border.

Our borders are not open. The White House insisting the new rule replacing title 42 called title 8 will make it easier to quickly deport people who don't qualify for asylum. People who cross our border unlawfully and without a legal basis to remain will be promptly processed and removed. The government estimates 65,000 migrants might be in northern Mexico waiting to cross and already arrests at the border have surged to record levels about 11,000 on Wednesday alone. And the effects are being felt deep into the country. Thursday, a bus of migrants most from Venezuela arrived outside the vice president's residence in Washington. And this week, border states have sent about 200 migrants a day to Denver, Colorado.

This is a humanitarian crisis that this city is responding to. The federal government has sent 1,500 unarmed soldiers to the border to help process new arrivals. While Texas Governor Greg Abbott has deployed armed National Guard troops to help secure the border. In Washington, Republicans capitalizing on the chaos are slamming President Biden's handling of the crisis. When in the world is this administration going to wake up? As lawmakers bicker, the humanitarian crisis grows. In Washington, Chris Pallone, NBC News.

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