As Title 42 ends, cities along Texas border anticipate surge of migrants seeking political asylum

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Title 42, the controversial pandemic-era immigration policy, is set to expire on Thursday.

However, Brownsville is one border city in Texas that is already experiencing a surge like it never has before.

SEE ALSO: What is Title 42 and how has US used it to curb migration?

KPRC 2 Investigates arrived at the border town Thursday afternoon and witnessed a large number of Venezuelan immigrants on the streets.

Brian Olivero made it clear he was happy to be in Texas. Venezuela is behind him, and he is looking forward to a life in New York City with his 5-year-old son Brayden.

Their story is just one of thousands crossing every day into Brownsville. An abandoned golf course has become the epicenter for a surge of migrants.

Tens of thousands of migrants have entered in recent months and with Title 42 ending on Thursday, thousands more are expected to make their way into the United States.

SEE ALSO: Huge number of asylum seekers at US-Mexico border as COVID-19 restrictions end, new rules begin

Venezuelans claiming political asylum were easy to spot all around the downtown and even at the International Airport in Harlingen due to the blue bag they all were carrying.

The bag is a symbol that they have been processed by the federal government, their paperwork has been completed inside and they are good to go to their next stop.

One of them was Rosie Carrillo, a former security guard who is back home now and in search of a more secure life with an aunt in Georgia.

Carrillo told KPRC 2 Investigates she left Venezuela because the minimum wage was $1.

Thirty-year-old Nickerson Camacho was a doctor specializing in plastic surgery in Venezuela. He left for the same reason the vast majority have, because of the ‘bad lifestyle’ the government has imposed on Venezuelans.

After trekking for the past three weeks, Camacho plans to move to Miami and says that he looks forward to starting work in his new homeland.

At one location, thousands come in every day and then the next day, they are gone, and more new faces have already replaced them.

KPRC 2 Investigates will continue reporting from the border on Thursday and Friday.

RELATED LINKS

• Texas progressives want Title 42 ended, highlighting wide ideological gulf on Congressional immigration deal
• US Supreme Court rules to keep Title 42, the pandemic-era policy to quickly turn away migrants, for now
• Immigration policy, Texas Senate’s new bill could impact Harris Co., debt ceiling fight, and more on Houston Newsmakers
• Legal battle continues over use of Title 42 along the border
• How will asylum work after Title 42 ends? No one knows yet