Supreme Court Leaves Nationwide Block on Immigration Rule

The Supreme Court declined to pause a judgment blocking a 2024 immigration rule, leaving the nationwide prohibition in place while challengers pursue an appeal. The unsigned order did not address whether the rule was lawful. The regulation, adopted by the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review, allowed immigration judges to use administrative closure. That procedure temporarily removes some deportation cases from active court dockets, giving people time to seek immigration relief, including asylum or relief connected to crime victimization. Texas challenged the rule, arguing it exceeded the agency’s authority and could allow people to remain in the country indefinitely without resolving their deportation cases. The Justice Department and Texas later agreed to a judgment blocking the regulation. A federal judge in Texas approved the judgment in June, and the prohibition applies nationwide. Baltimore, Columbus, New Haven and Centro Legal de la Raza sought to intervene and defend the rule. After a lower court rejected their request, the cities and the legal aid group appealed and asked the Supreme Court to suspend the judgment while their appeal proceeded....