Supreme Court Clears Path to Revive Asylum Metering Policy at the Border. The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado, overturned a lower court order and signaled that the government could revive the controversial practice of metering at border ports of entry. Metering limited the daily number of asylum seekers permitted to apply, forcing many to wait in Mexico for processing. The Court’s decision emphasizes that those who are stopped before crossing the border are not deemed to have arrived in the United States, potentially allowing authorities to avoid immediate asylum screening. DHS praised the ruling as restoring a tool to manage border flow, while advocates warn of renewed humanitarian harm and dangerous conditions for asylum seekers waiting in Mexican border towns. DHS has not announced plans to reinstate metering, but the ruling provides a legal framework to do so if policy priorities change. The impact for prospective asylum applicants is to seek timely legal guidance to understand potential pathways to safety and rights at the border, given the possibility of sudden policy shifts.
What This Means for You: - Key Point 1: The Court allows the government to potentially revive the metering policy at ports of entry, limiting asylum access temporarily. - Who Should Be Concerned: Migrants seeking asylum at the southern border and their families. - Timeline for Action: No immediate deadline, but DHS could reinstate metering with little warning. - Next Steps: If pursuing asylum at the border, work with recognized legal aid organizations and prepare for possible long waits in Mexico.