The US policy of not releasing many illegal immigrants was crushed

President Joe Biden’s policy of releasing, rather than detaining, many immigrants caught crossing the US-Mexico border illegally has been crushed.

A federal judge agreed with Florida’s Republican attorney general that the Biden administration’s policy, which critics have called “catch and release,” violates US immigration law.

US District Judge Kent Wetherell, appointed by ex-President Donald Trump, on Wednesday blocked the Biden administration from implementing a 2021 Department of Homeland Security memorandum authorizing “alternatives to incarceration.”

The memo aimed to alleviate some of the overcrowding in detention centers through measures such as shackles, check-ins by immigration officers and telephone surveillance.

But Wetherell in Pensacola agreed with Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s argument that immigration officials do not have the authority to fully implement the alternative methods under federal law.

“The court rules largely in Florida’s favor because the evidence, as discussed below, shows that the defendants effectively turned the southwestern border into a meaningless line in the sand and little more than a speed bump for aliens pouring into the country.” ‘ Wetherell wrote.

The Biden administration has been given seven days to appeal or the ruling will take effect.

Wetherell also described Biden’s overall immigration policy as “similar to putting up a flashing ‘Come In, We’re Open’ sign on the southern border.”

“The unprecedented ‘surge’ of aliens that arrived at the Southwest border almost immediately after President Biden took office, and which has continued unabated for the past two years, was a predictable consequence of these actions,” Wetherell wrote.

Deputy press secretary for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, Jeremy Redfern, told Politico that Wetherell “called attention to the governor’s actions and ruled that the Biden administration violated federal immigration law by failing to perform the duties of his office and by failing to perform the duties of his office.” National border not secured”.

The ruling came as reports emerged that the Biden administration is considering reopening some of the detention centers it has closed.

Homeland Security officials did not immediately comment on the verdict.

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