Migrants apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol near Eagle Pass, Texas. /photo courtesy U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas
By Rebecca Morin, Ashley White | USA Today
A federal judge on Friday declined to issue an immediate ruling on whether the Biden administration can rescind COVID-related restrictions that prevent immigrants from requesting asylum in the U.S.
U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays of Louisiana said he would leave in place the Trump-era policy for now while he weighs a legal challenge filed by more than 20 states seeking to bar the White House from rescinding the so-called Title 42 policy.
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Summerhays said he would issue a ruling before May 23, the date the Biden administration set for lifting the asylum restrictions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in April the policy would be rescinded on May 23, saying it is “no longer necessary” after “considering current public health conditions and an increased availability of tools to fight COVID-19.”
What is Title 42?:Why Republicans, some Democrats want it to stay?
