Federal Judge Blocks Biden Administration’s Use of Title 42 Policy

A federal judge on Thursday blocked the Biden administration from enforcing a public health order that fast-tracked deportations of migrant families at the southern border.

Why it matters: President Biden has faced significant backlash for retaining the Trump-era policy, which was implemented as a COVID containment measure. The expulsions deny adult migrants and families the chance for asylum.

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• The ACLU sought an injunction in early August.

What they’re saying: In his ruling on Thursday, Judge Emmet Sullivan of the District of Columbia District Court acknowledged the government’s burden with limiting the spread of COVID, but “in view of the wide availability of testing, vaccines, and other minimization measures, the Court is not convinced that the transmission of COVID-19 during border processing cannot be significantly mitigated.”

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The big picture: Biden had plans to end the policy in July but reconsidered due to renewed concerns around the Delta variant.

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