Judge temporarily blocks Biden's plan to halt deportations
A federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked the Biden administration's pause on deportations Tuesday, delivering a blow to one of the administration's first immigration actions.
The early defeat, even if temporary, demonstrates the limits of President Joe Biden's executive actions, which are expected to be challenged in court.
Tuesday's order stems from a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenging the 100-day pause on deportations, which took effect Friday. The complaint cited in part an agreement signed between the Department of Homeland Security and Texas in the waning days of the Trump presidency that required the department to consult the state before changing or modifying policies.
Judge Drew Tipton of the Southern District of Texas, however, said the temporary restraining order was appropriate under the Administrative Procedure Act. Tipton blocked the Biden administration from executing its deportation pause for 14 days.
Tipton, appointed by President Donald Trump, also found that Texas could be harmed if the moratorium were to continue. "In light of the foregoing, the Court finds that the threat of injury to Texas outweighs any potential harm to Defendants and the public interest is served and protected by the issuance of this TRO," he wrote.
The moratorium has only been in place for five days.
The White House, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately comment on the ruling.
more:
http://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/politics/deportation-biden/index.html
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