(Washington) A US federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked President Joe Biden’s decision to lift immigration restrictions put in place at the start of the pandemic and which for two years have allowed the immediate deportation of migrants arrested at the southern border. .
Posted at 9:09 p.m.
The Biden government had indicated that it would end this device, known as “Title 42”, on May 23, which had aroused many criticisms among Republicans but also among certain Democrats in favor of stricter border control.
A Louisiana judge said after a videoconference with attorneys that he had “announced his intention to grant the petition” originally filed by Missouri, Louisiana and Arizona to suspend the lifting of restrictions.
This decision prevents the government from taking any action before a hearing on May 13 which must determine whether “Title 42” can be lifted.
The three Republican states that initiated the proceedings – later joined by 18 others – celebrated a victory they hope will avert the unprecedented influx of migrants predicted by Department of Homeland Security officials.
“This is a huge victory for border security, but the fight continues,” said Eric Schmitt, Missouri Attorney General.
Under the rules adopted to fight COVID-19, all adults and a majority of families were immediately sent back to Mexico, without the possibility of filing an asylum request on American soil. Only unaccompanied minors could stay in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the measure was “no longer needed” due to “the greater availability of tools to combat COVID-19.”
Migration flows, down sharply at the start of the pandemic, had started to increase again before Joe Biden took office more than a year ago, but clearly jumped afterwards.
During his election campaign, Mr. Biden had promised a broad reform of the migration system but all his bills are bogged down in Congress.