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Justice Matrix · Case profile

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Merrick Garland

9th Cir.2021Americas
FavorableNeeds review
Needs review

Machine-found from the cited source, not yet confirmed by a human. Open the source before relying on it.

Strategic issue

What was at stake

Challenge to the Asylum Eligibility and Procedural Modifications rule

Key holding

What the court decided

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's preliminary injunction against the Government's July 16, 2019 "Asylum Eligibility and Procedural Modifications" Rule (the asylum "Transit Rule"), which categorically denied asylum to migrants arriving at the southern border unless they had first applied for and been denied protection in a country they transited. The panel held plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits: the Rule is unlawful under the APA because it is "not in accordance with law" and "in excess of statutory limitations," as it is not "consistent with" 8 U.S.C. § 1158, and it is also arbitrary and capricious. The court further held plaintiffs would suffer irreparable harm, the equities and public interest favored relief, and the district court did not abuse its discretion in entering an injunction covering the four states bordering Mexico.

Issue areas

Categories

asylumrefugee
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