US-Mexico border braces for midnight lifting of Title 42 migrant restrictions

Border officials expect surge of people trying to cross into US as measure ostensibly to curb Covid-19 lapses

The US will lift Covid-19 border restrictions known as Title 42 on Thursday night, a major shift that has drawn tens of thousands of migrants to the US-Mexico border, straining local communities and intensifying political divisions.

The number of migrants caught crossing illegally has climbed in recent weeks, with daily apprehensions surpassing 10,000 on Monday and Tuesday. US border cities have struggled to shelter migrants and provide transportation to onward destinations.