Explore histories of migration, citizenship and belonging in Germany and the U.S. over the centuries.
2020
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2023
Pandemic policy reshapes access to asylum
Title 42, enacted by the Trump administration in March 2020, expedited the deportation of migrants by bypassing typical immigration and asylum procedures, citing COVID-19 public health concerns. Criticized for potential violations of international refugee law, it resulted in the displacement of approximately 2.8 million asylum seekers, mostly from Central America, to often dangerous conditions in Mexican border cities. Although contested, the policy continued under President Biden until May 11, 2023, when the CDC ended the public health emergency. At the same time, new policies, including the controversial asylum transit ban, which has also been accused of violating international refugee law, and other restrictive measures were implemented and are currently under legal review.
