Joe Biden announced a major shift in immigration policy to try and avoid the chaos at the border.
Between two fences of 30ft that separate San Diego, in the United States from Tijuana, in Mexico .
In recent weeks, the number of migrants at border crossings has increased significantly.
Title 42 was a COVID era policy that was first introduced by Trump’s administration. It allowed for migrants to be expelled quickly on the basis of public health.
Through the gaps between the metal slats, volunteers pass supplies such as nappies, sunscreen, and water.
A dispute erupts over blankets.
One charity worker shouts, “Back up! Back up! We are stopping distribution.”
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No shelter is available to shield them from the scorching sun during the day or the freezing cold at night.
Many people have been here several days and report that they receive little food and/or water.
Normally, this crossing is populated by single men. However, now women, babies and children are also present.
Some people have used tarpaulin sheets, cardboard or even bin bags tied to the fence to create a tent for privacy.
‘Little dignity’
There is no dignity as people pass their mobile phones over the fence, hoping someone on the US-side of the border will be able charge them so that they can tell friends and family where they are.
The people who came from Asia, Europe, Central and South America and the Americas.
Each person has a unique story and a specific reason why they want to enter the US. This is often a long, difficult journey.
I talk to two women from Jamaica who are a gay couple and they say that there is no freedom for them.
They claim that a Catholic family with an infant from Jordan has been traveling for the past two months to escape religious persecution in their country.
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Adriana Jasso from the Quaker organisation American Friends Service Committee hands trainers over the fence.
She has seen a dramatic shift in the makeup of the people on the opposite side.
She said, “We’ve seen more families with women and children.”
We had some babies sleep in the open a few times. We are worried that some families have been staying here for three or four nights.
A woman from Kenya told me that she believed the lifting of Title 42 would make it easier for her to get asylum in the US.
Another person says that they thought the border authorities had a deadline of midnight to process their applications.
The Biden administration tried to discourage people from crossing the border amid the uncertainty.
Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, tweeted: “Don’t believe the lies told by smugglers.” The border is closed.”
Thousands of people are either already here or on the way.
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