For now, the US Supreme Court has upheld the expedited deportation of immigrants

The measure was introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration in March 2020, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Nineteen US states opposed the termination of the policy, dubbed “Title 42”. They worried that a potential flow of migrants would begin at the border with Mexico.

Since Title 42 went into effect, undocumented immigrants can be immediately deported if they are apprehended at the border. The measure applies immediately, appeal is not legally possible and automatic return to the country of origin is not expected.

There are some exceptions for certain nationalities, such as Ukrainians fleeing a war started by Russia. There are exceptions for unaccompanied minors.

Violation of international law

Human rights activists and experts speak of violations of international law. They call it ‘inhumane’ that an asylum seeker is not given an opportunity to submit an asylum claim. According to them, the current policy encourages migrants to cross the border secretly. They have to take more risks by traveling through deserts or crossing rivers.

The White House on Tuesday called for “profound reform” of US immigration policy in response to the Supreme Court ruling. “Congress must pass deep immigration reform to fix our flawed immigration system,” said Karine Jean-Pierre, spokeswoman for President Joe Biden.