ACLU Comment on Appeals Court Stay Order in Remain in Mexico Challenge

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court strongly reaffirmed its conclusion that the Trump administration’s policy of forcing asylum seekers to return to Mexico is illegal, but allowed it to continue as the government seeks Supreme Court review of a ruling late last week that blocked it.

Under the ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the government can continue the forced return policy (MPP) nationwide through March 11, but after that will be prohibited from operating it in the Ninth Circuit (California and Arizona) unless the Supreme Court grants a stay.

The American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, and Southern Poverty Law Center are challenging the policy.

Judy Rabinovitz, special counsel in the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, had the following reaction to tonight’s court action:

“We agree with the Court of Appeals that it is ‘very clear’ that the MPP violates federal law, and ‘it is equally clear that the MPP is causing extreme and irreversible harm.’ If the administration had any respect for the law or any sense of decency, it would end this program immediately. We will continue working to permanently end this illegal and inhumane policy.”

Order: https://www.aclu.org/legal-document/ninth-circuit-stay-order

Statement: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-comment-appeals-court-stay-order-remain-mexico-challenge

More information: https://www.aclu.org/cases/innovation-law-lab-v-wolf