Supreme Court Lets Trump Turn Back Asylum Seekers at US-Mexico Border
Decision allows Trump administration to block migrants from entering US soil and the right to claim asylum
TL;DR
- The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow the Trump administration to block asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border.
- The decision revives the "turn-back" or "metering" policy, preventing migrants from setting foot on US soil to claim asylum.
- The court's majority interpreted "arrives in" to mean physical entry into the country.
- Dissenting justices argued this interpretation would allow the government to circumvent asylum laws and have dire consequences for vulnerable individuals.
- Human rights advocates state the decision could invalidate international and US asylum laws.
- The case originated in 2017 and was filed by Al Otro Lado and asylum seekers.
- The policy has led to migrants being stranded in dangerous conditions in Mexico while awaiting their turn to apply for asylum.
- Joe Biden rescinded the policy in 2021, but Donald Trump's administration sought to reinstate it.
- Advocates warn that reimplementation of the metering policy could lead to another humanitarian crisis.
- The Trump administration viewed asylum as an obstacle to its goal of shutting down the southern border.