On Monday, the Supreme Court, the highest judicial body in the United States, announced the maintenance of a measure put in place in March 2020 by the American authorities in the name of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing the deportation prospective immigrants, even potential asylum seekers.
This device entitled “Title 42” was originally due to end on May 23, but a Louisiana judge had blocked its lifting. On November 15, a federal judge in Washington, on the contrary, demanded that President Joe Biden put an end to the expulsions provided for by this device. The lifting of “Title 42”, scheduled for Wednesday, has been suspended by order of President of the Supreme Court John Roberts.
This public health measure was originally adopted in 1893
Conservative states are fond of this measure because it is immediate and does not allow for legal recourse. Moreover, it does not provide for automatic return to the country of origin. Faced with the desire to lift this measure, around twenty Republican states had filed an emergency appeal before the Supreme Court on Monday asking it to block the decision of the federal judge. The highest American court gave them satisfaction pending a decision on the case.
“The Title 42 public health order will remain in effect for the time being, and persons who attempt to enter the United States illegally will continue to be deported to Mexico,” the Department of Homeland Security said Monday, s pledging to continue preparations to welcome migrants as best as possible when the measure is lifted.
This public health measure was originally adopted in 1893 to protect the United States from the numerous epidemics of cholera and yellow fever that were occurring at the time. It has only very rarely been implemented since.