In late June, public health experts warned that an unlawful anti-migrant deadline could spark a crisis, and that warning has now become reality. Within days, tens of thousands of people were displaced by violence or its threat and processed through sites like Musina and the Beitbridge border post. Despite the South African government's rapid response, serious concerns remain about overcrowding, poor sanitation, disrupted medical care, and rising psychological trauma. Today, we unpack the public health implications of this crisis and what must be done to protect lives and uphold constitutional rights. We spoke to Prof Hassan Mahomed, a public health specialist in solidarity with Healthcare Workers Against Xenophobia (HCWAX).