Supreme Court upholds Title 42, blocks Biden govt from lifting Trump-era border policy

The decision to temporarily block the Biden administration from ending the pandemic-era Title 42 immigration policy was announced after the Supreme Court received an emergency appeal from 19 conservative states on Monday morning.

In a petition to the Supreme Court, several states urged the Supreme Court to reverse a lower court ruling that demanded President Joe Biden to halt the Title 42 removals by Wednesday.

For the Biden administration to respond to the state's appeal, Roberts set the deadline as Tuesday, under Supreme Court precedent.


Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas, warned of "total mayhem" if the policy were to be altered.


Even while the administrative stay may temporarily block what many fear would be a new rush of migrants at the southern border, the measure does not necessarily signify the high court's view on the more basic concerns surrounding the program.

Title 42 authorizes CBP to return migrants to their home countries without the customary court evaluation if doing so is necessary to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in detention facilities. In April, the Biden administration announced its decision to abandon the policy.

Late Monday, the Department of Homeland Security said the Title 42 program would continue despite the ongoing legal challenge.

FAQs:

1. What is Title 42?
   U.S. border agents may expediently deport asylum seekers and migrants under Title 42 if they threaten public health.
2. When does Title 42 end?
   It is expected to end on 21st December.