Trump-Appointed Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks the Biden Admin From Terminating Title 42

A Trump-appointed federal judge has temporarily blocked the Biden administration from terminating Title 42.

On April 1, the Centers for Disease Control announced that “in consulation with the Department of Homeland Security,” it would terminate Title 42 on May 23.

The CDC claimed that the order “suspending the right to introduce migrants into the United States is no longer necessary” due to “an increased availability of tools to fight COVID-19.” 

Following a hearing on the case, U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays said in a notice that he had agreed to issue the temporary restraining order.

In a summary of the hearing, Judge Summerhays said, “For the reasons stated on the record, the Court announced its intent to grant the motion.”

“The parties will confer regarding the specific terms to be contained in the Temporary Restraining Order and attempt to reach agreement,” the judge added.

The Title 42 authority was granted in March 2020 and has allowed U.S. authorities along the Mexican border to expel migrants over 1.8 million times to Mexico or their home countries without allowing them to seek asylum, which is generally required by U.S. law, according to the government data.

The suit was brought by 21 Republican-led states including Missouri, where Attorney General Eric Schmitt celebrated the news in a tweet.

“In a lawsuit originally filed by Missouri, Louisiana, and Arizona, our Office just obtained a temporary restraining order to keep Title 42 in place,” Schmitt announced.

Schmitt declared, “This is a huge victory for border security, but the fight continues on.”

BREAKING NEWS: In a lawsuit originally filed by Missouri, Louisiana, and Arizona, our Office just obtained a temporary restraining order to keep Title 42 in place. This is a huge victory for border security, but the fight continues on.

— Attorney General Eric Schmitt (@AGEricSchmitt) April 25, 2022