The Supreme Court has overturned a lower court order blocking the Trump administration’s immigration policy that limited the number of people who could apply for asylum each day. This policy, also known as metering, was first used during President Barack Obama’s administration and was expanded to all border crossings from Mexico during President Donald Trump’s first term in the White House.

Background of the Policy

The Trump administration argued that metering is a critical tool that has been used by presidents of both parties and should remain available. Federal attorneys say people turned away at the border could come back later, though lines were thousands of people long when the policy was in place before.

Advocates said the tactic created a humanitarian crisis as thousands of people settled in unsafe makeshift shelters to await their turn. The policy isn’t in place now, though authorities have imposed other restrictions on asylum seekers.

Constitutional Rights

Under federal law, migrants who arrive in the U.S. must be able to apply for asylum and be screened for fear of persecution in their home countries. 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 anyone arriving at a port of entry should be screened, and blocking arrivals disregards the nation’s ideals. The case is one of several immigration suits the Supreme Court is considering this term, including Trump’s push to end restricted birthright citizenship and his administration’s effort to strip legal temporary protections for migrants fleeing instability and armed conflict.

Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.