US extends Trump-era pandemic immigration rule
(VOVWORLD) -A Supreme Court decision will keep in place for now a Trump-era rule that allows the US to deport migrants at the Mexican border as a public health measure in response to the pandemic.
 Migrants cross the Rio Bravo River at the Mexico-US border, September 19, 2021. (Photo: VNA) |
This immigration policy, often referred to as "Title 42", was introduced under the administration of President Donald Trump, amid growing concern about the influx of illegal immigrants. The policy allows the administration to prevent millions of migrants at the Southwest border from seeking asylum in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a ruling by a federal judge in November, the provision was to expire on December 21, but the Supreme Court voted on Tuesday to grant an emergency request by 19 Republican state attorneys general who sought to intervene in defense of the policy. The policy will remain in place at least until a new ruling is issued.
President Biden on Tuesday said the Supreme Court will not issue a new ruling on Title 42 until next June, and from now until then, the US government will have to enforce the policy.