The Biden administration will send 1,500 additional military personnel to increase security at the southern border, U.S. officials said Tuesday, as the imminent end of pandemic-era immigration policies has officials bracing for an increase in illegal crossings.

A Texas Tribune publication reports on the Biden administration's decision to suspend the  use of Title 42, a public health order that allows for the expulsion of migrants at the southern border, as well as the deployment of troops to help manage the situation.

Title 42 was implemented by the Trump administration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and was used to expel tens of thousands of migrants, including many seeking asylum in the United States. The order has been criticized by immigrant advocates and human rights groups, who argue that it violates international law and puts vulnerable people at risk.

Despite campaign promises to end the use of Title 42, the Biden administration has continued to enforce the policy, citing concerns about the spread of COVID-19. The decision to extend the policy has been met with criticism from advocates and lawmakers, who argue it is a violation of human rights and does little to address the root causes of migration.

The Biden administration also announced plans to send additional troops to the southern border to help manage the situation. The move comes as border crossings have increased in recent months, with many migrants fleeing violence and poverty in Central America.

The decision to send troops was criticized by some as a militarization of the border and a violation of human rights. Proponents argue that the focus should be on addressing the root causes of migration, such as poverty, violence and climate change, rather than punitive measures designed to deter migrants.

According to the Texas Tribune, “U.S. military personnel have augmented federal border operations for years. The 1,500 troops whose deployment was announced Tuesday will join another 2,500 service members already assigned to the southern border, a second U.S. official said. Those figures do not include the Texas National Guard members mobilized for a state-led mission called Operation Lone Star”.

The debate over immigration policy in the United States is likely to continue, with advocates pushing for more humane policies and lawmakers facing the challenges posed by an increasingly complex and politicized issue.