Lasting Effects of Title 42 and Health Implications

Over five years since Title 42 was reimplemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, questions about its necessity and lasting impact on the health of migrants and asylum seekers remain largely unanswered. Our analysis of the evidence yielded two critical findings: (1) Title 42 did not help control cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., and (2) Title 42 had a pronounced negative impact on the mental and physical well-being of migrants and asylum seekers and strained the healthcare systems meant to support them. These findings lead us to urge public health practitioners and policy makers to approach immigration and asylum policies through a lens of respect and dignity. Building social support as well as medical support networks, including proper and timely physical and mental health screenings, and connecting migrants to culturally sensitive care are essential. Our hope is that writing about this topic will rekindle discussions and build public and poltical will to advocate for fair and just policies that consider the health and wellbeing of those seeking refuge, such that the harm inflicted upon migrants and asylum seekers as a result of Title 42 and similar laws and policies will not be repeated.