Florida judge blocks migrant releases on parole, Biden administration cries ‘sabotage’.

White House Accuses Florida GOP of Sabotage in Immigration Strategy

The Biden administration’s new immigration strategy has hit a roadblock after a federal judge blocked its plans to release immigrants into the United States on “parole” just before Title 42 expired. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre accused Florida GOP Attorney General Ashley Moody of sabotaging President Joe Biden’s ability to respond efficiently to migrant surges.

Florida’s Request Granted

U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell granted Florida’s request and found that the new policy was not “materially different” from a previous parole policy that released immigrants without court dates. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also called Wetherell’s order “very harmful” on Friday.

Border Crisis

Former federal immigration judge Mark Metcalf told the Washington Examiner that Biden’s plans to release immigrants into the U.S. on parole “creates no positive controls on aliens released” into the country. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) took a victory lap over the decision during a Friday morning press conference in Fort Myers.

Overcrowding at Border Patrol Stations

Attorneys for the government have warned that a ruling like the one Wetherell delivered Thursday evening would lead to dangerous overcrowding at Border Patrol stations not intended for long-term stays. CBP said it would comply with Wetherell’s order that will remain in effect for two weeks, and the Justice Department has said it’s weighing its options after the decision, signaling the administration could appeal the ruling in the coming days.

Judge’s Ruling

South Texas Law School professor Josh Blackman told the Washington Examiner he believes the “upshot” of the judge’s ruling will “prevent” immigrants who haven’t provided notice of a court hearing from being released into the U.S.