Rewarding Lawlessness: Appeals Court Blocks Policy Forcing Illegals to Wait in Mexico

Appeals court temporarily blocks “Remain in Mexico” policy, putting the Trump administration’s plans for asylum seekers on hold. 

Promoting Lawlessness or Protecting Rights? 

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled a halt to two major policies that Trump has implemented in regards to seeking asylum in the US through Mexico, much to the joy of human rights groups. Two of the three judges handling the case questioned government attorneys quite sharply on the policies, while the third dissented. 

Last year’s January saw the “Remain in Mexico” policy kick off with close to 60,000 people being sent back to wait for their court hearings, in an effort to deter claims that lack merit, as Justice Department lawyers commented on the issue. The DOJ lawyers also added that President Trump was well within his rights to impose the two policies without approval from the Congress. 

The other measure blocked by the judge panel denies asylum to any who enter the US from countries other than Mexico without seeking help there first. 

The expansion of the policy has been serving its purpose, as Border Patrol arrests have dropped drastically from the previous 13-year high in May, with the DHS proclaiming it “an indispensable tool” in an October report. 

Although many have questioned the policies’ effectiveness and whether it’s right in terms of human rights, with some even asking the question of whether or not it violates US law, the ruling of the judges only applies to California and Arizona. The temporary block will most likely be just a minor setback for the administration.