The Supreme Court has overturned a lower court order blocking the Trump administration’s policy of limiting the number of people who could apply for asylum each day at the US-Mexico border. This policy, known as metering, was first used during the Obama administration and was expanded by the Trump administration.

Background on the Policy

The policy was used to deal with an increase in asylum seekers at the border. However, advocates argued that it created a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people settling in unsafe makeshift shelters to await their turn. The Trump administration argued that metering is a critical tool that has been used by presidents of both parties and should remain available.

Under federal law, migrants who arrive in the US must be able to apply for asylum and be screened for fear of persecution in their home countries. However, the Justice Department argued that people stopped by authorities haven’t “arrived,” so immigration agents don’t have to let them apply. Attorneys for people seeking asylum say the law has long meant that anyone arriving at a port of entry should be screened, and blocking arrivals disregards the nation’s ideals.

Implications of the Ruling

The Supreme Court’s ruling allows the Trump administration to potentially revive the policy, which was ended in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and formally rescinded by President Joe Biden in 2021. The ruling is one of several immigration suits being considered by the Court, including Trump’s push to end birthright citizenship and his administration’s effort to strip legal temporary protections for migrants fleeing instability and armed conflict.

Original reporting: WTVQ (Lexington) — read the source article.