WASHINGTON D.C. — Today a federal judge issued a decision vacating the Biden administration’s so-called “Parole + Alternatives to Detention (ATD)” policy.
The policy averts serious overcrowding in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detention facilities by allowing agents to process and release certain migrants who do not pose a security risk. Such migrants receive an alien registration number and directions to report to immigration authorities. The court’s decision is stayed for seven days to allow time for an appeal.
“Should it take effect, this decision would mean greater health and safety risks for detained migrants and greater pressure on our agents at the border,” said Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. “Congress’ failure to act on border and immigration reforms is making it harder and harder for better policies to take hold.
“Repeated interventions from federal courts are yet another sign that Republicans and Democrats in Congress must immediately work together to enact safe, orderly, and humane processes at the U.S.-Mexico border and within our immigration system.”