Under former President Trump the public health order, known as Title 42, was introduced to block migrants seeking asylum from crossing the southern border of the United States. It’s estimated that around 750,000 people have been blocked from crossing the border since October.

A new paper from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy argues that the border should be fully re-opened, with people given easier and expanded access to vaccines as they cross.  The author argues that blocking Mexicans from crossing while allowing American citizens to pass freely has done little to stop the virus from spreading, but has caused economic activity to fall.

“Evidently, both governments sought to balance commercial and economic concerns with public health anxieties, but the system was never rebalanced to prevent all nonessential travel rather than simply restricting Mexican citizens and residents from using land ports of entry,” the paper says.

Slowing the spread

The paper suggests that the most effective way to slow the spread of the delta variant while maintaining the economic and social activity that is so important to the borderland area is to encourage and enable vaccinations and to then use proof of these vaccinations to enable travel over the border.

“It is time to allow health services in U.S. border cities and towns to also care for all borderlanders, regardless of nationality,” the author says. “At the same time, vaccines should be made readily available to health services on the Mexican side of the border, targeting those who do not have a passport or visa and cannot enter the United States.”

The paper suggests that as the vaccine rollout continues, there is less need to continue with blanket restrictions around the borderland.  The author argues that the kind of contactless screening systems commonly used at airports could help to ease border crossing while also slowing the spread of the virus.  Travelers could also register on platforms such as Global Entry and Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection to allow cross-border traffic to be seamless.

“As the next few months are key to understanding the evolution of the pandemic, given new dangerous coronavirus strains such as the delta variant, both governments should work jointly to prepare the border for a new normal, restoring travel to those who can show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test; expanding vaccination rates throughout the border in the short term; and expanding contactless border technology in the longer term,” the paper concludes. “These measures can only make the border more efficient, prosperous and secure—and especially healthier.”