WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ordered pandemic-era border restrictions to remain in effect, granting a request by Republican state officials who said lifting the rules would have produced an unmanageable surge of migrants seeking to enter the country.
Voting 5-4, the justices blocked a lower court decision that was designed to invalidate the so-called Title 42 rule as of Wednesday. The high court order, which extends a temporary pause Chief Justice John Roberts imposed, keeps the border policy in place while litigation goes forward. Justice Neil Gorsuch joined the court’s three liberals in dissent.
The justices also said they will hear arguments on one aspect of the case, a bid by the states to intervene in defense of the policy. The court indicated arguments will be heard in late February or early March.
