Florida has taken a decisive stand against the Biden administration with a lawsuit filed on Thursday over a contentious new policy planned for handling migrants. The policy at the heart of the dispute is one that would see migrants released into the United States without court dates, a move that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody argues is unlawful.
The lawsuit is grounded in the comparison of this new plan to a previously discontinued policy known as “Parole + ATD”. The “Parole + ATD” policy was halted by a federal judge, and Moody is seeking a temporary restraining order against the new policy due to its alarming similarity.
This new policy, dubbed “parole with conditions,” is a part of the Biden administration’s attempt to address the anticipated surge in illegal migrants following the expiration of Title 42 on May 11. Title 42 was a public health order enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed U.S. officials to expel migrants at the border quickly. With its end, an influx of migrants is expected.
The newly proposed instructions would enable border agents to release illegal immigrants under the umbrella of “parole with conditions”. This means they would be obligated to schedule a court date with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as reported by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The lawsuit contends that if the allegations are accurate, it appears that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is poised to disregard a prior court order by implementing a new parole policy. This new policy, as described by a DHS spokesperson, seems nearly identical to the previously nullified “Parole + ATD” policy.
This litigation underscores the ongoing tension between the federal government and states over immigration policy. It further highlights the need for effective, lawful, and respectful solutions to address immigration issues. As Florida takes a stand, it may set a precedent for other states to follow, ensuring that the rule of law is upheld in the face of changing immigration policies.
