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U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Block Trump Immigration Policy

By Drooid · Oct 28, 2026, 00:12 UTC · How we work

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Summary

The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s administration to restrict a Biden-era immigration-case closure policy.
The justices rejected an appeal by Baltimore, Columbus, Ohio, New Haven and a rights group to preserve the policy.
A Texas lawsuit led a judge to issue a permanent injunction blocking the policy, which remains in effect.
Government data show about 360,000 migrants have received administrative closure since 1990.

History

Congress enacted the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act in 1996, signed by President Bill Clinton and effective April 1 1997, granting the DOJ and INS authority to close asylum cases. The act merged exclusion and deportation, driving deportations from about 50,000 to over 200,000 by early 2000s. The Supreme Court’s decision letting the Trump administration curb the Biden-era closure policy reflects that executive framework.

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Historical Context

Congress enacted the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act in 1996, signed by President Bill Clinton and effective April 1 1997, granting the DOJ and INS authority to close asylum cases. The act merged exclusion and deportation, driving deportations from about 50,000 to over 200,000 by early 2000s. The Supreme Court’s decision letting the Trump administration curb the Biden-era closure policy reflects that executive framework.

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