3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 27
Summary
An unsigned Supreme Court order on Tuesday rejected an appeal by Baltimore, Columbus, New Haven and an immigrant-rights group, leaving in place a ruling blocking a Biden-era policy on administrative closure.
That clears the way for the Trump administration to stop immigration judges from using the tool to close deportation cases without dismissing them, meaning many cases could now be reopened.
The practice, codified by the Biden administration in 2024, has been used in some form for decades and has granted administrative closure to roughly 360,000 migrants since 1990.
Supporters say it helps overloaded immigration courts and protects migrants such as crime victims or neglected juveniles with strong claims to stay; critics call it backdoor amnesty.
The case arose after Trump returned to office, declined to defend the 2024 rule and backed Texas' challenge, which produced a permanent injunction now left intact.