A federal judge in Louisiana on Friday blocked a US government decision to end the “stay in Mexico” rule. This controversial law, which the US and Mexico agreed in 2020, indicates that people should, in principle, await their asylum application for the US in Mexico. The US Department of Justice has said it will appeal the court’s decision.
Former President Donald Trump introduced the so-called Title 42 during his reign. He did so during the corona pandemic to “protect public health in the US”. However, current President Joe Biden decided early last month that the argument no longer holds and indicated that Title 42 would be abolished on May 23.
A group of Republican governors from more than 20 states went to court after Biden’s decision to uphold the rule. They are afraid of a tidal wave of migrants. Judge Robert Summerhays ruled in their favor on Friday and signed a ruling that keeps the law in force.
The decision leaves thousands of migrants in Mexican border towns uncertain whether they can apply for asylum in the US on Monday. A group of migrants has gathered outside the US consulate in Tijuana to voice their concerns.
Since the introduction of Title 42, approximately 1.8 million migrants and asylum seekers have been expelled from the US at an accelerated rate.