Federal Judge Blocks Lifting of Title 42

Facts

• Louisiana federal judge Robert Summerhays on Fri. blocked the Biden admin. from ending Title 42 for now, saying that the litigating states 'demonstrated harm that will result,' and that the proper 'notice-and-comment' procedures to revoke it weren't followed.¹
• In April, Biden announced plans to end the controversial public health measure - which was adopted by the CDC in Mar. 2020 to turn back migrants during the pandemic - on May 23, after the CDC determined it was no longer necessary.²
• Politicians on both sides of the aisle criticized the decision, and the Biden amin. was reportedly discussing delaying the repeal.³
• The latest ruling stems from a lawsuit originally filed in the US District Court in Louisiana by Missouri, Louisiana, and Arizona, though they've since been joined by several other states.⁴
• It comes after the judge last month had instituted a temporary restraining order preventing the Biden admin. from ending Title 42 before the termination date.¹
• Dept. of Justice spokesman Anthony Coley said on Fri. that the department will appeal the ruling. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden admin. 'disagrees with the court's ruling,' and will continue planning for its eventual repeal.⁵

Sources: ¹CNN (a), ²CNN (b), ³Axios, ⁴FOX News and ⁵New York Post.

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by Action. Title 42 was placed into effect as a short-term public health measure to protect against COVID, not as immigration law. The policy strips migrants of their right to seek asylum and has placed them in a dangerous situation. The CDC has found the policy to be no longer necessary, and to keep it in effect is cruel.
• Right narrative, as provided by Red State. This is a victory for border security. Biden's repeal of most Trump-era immigration laws has turned the southern border into a disaster. Repealing Title 42 would lead to an overwhelming increase in illegal border crossings, and put the US in significant danger. The fight isn't over yet, but this is a massive step in the right direction.