The Supreme Court has agreed to review a Ninth Circuit ruling that deemed the Trump administration’s turnback policy for asylum seekers unlawful.
Washington (November 17, 2025) – The Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration’s request to review a Ninth Circuit decision that declared the government’s prior turnback policy, known as “metering,” unlawful. This policy allowed border officers to physically block individuals from seeking asylum at ports of entry along the southern border, effectively turning them back to Mexico.
In response to the Supreme Court’s decision, attorneys representing the asylum seekers, along with Al Otro Lado, an organization dedicated to supporting them, issued a statement emphasizing the legal rights of noncitizens. They argued that individuals seeking safety at U.S. ports of entry have a legal right to apply for asylum. The Ninth Circuit’s ruling, they noted, correctly concluded that U.S. immigration laws mandate the government to inspect and process asylum seekers at these ports, allowing them to pursue their legal claims within the United States.
The statement further criticized the government’s turnback policy as an illegal maneuver to bypass these legal requirements. It highlighted the dire consequences faced by vulnerable families, children, and adults fleeing persecution, who were left stranded in dangerous conditions where they encountered threats of violence, kidnapping, and even death. The attorneys expressed their eagerness to present their case before the Court.
Co-counsel for the case includes the American Immigration Council, the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), the Center for Constitutional Rights, Democracy Forward, and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection.
Al Otro Lado provides comprehensive legal and humanitarian support to refugees, deportees, and other migrants in both the U.S. and Tijuana. Their approach is multidisciplinary and client-centered, focusing on harm reduction. They engage in individual representation, human rights monitoring, medical-legal partnerships, and impact litigation to safeguard the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers.
The American Immigration Council aims to strengthen America by influencing public perceptions and actions regarding immigrants and immigration. They advocate for a fair and just immigration system that welcomes those in need of protection while harnessing the skills and energy that immigrants contribute to society. Their strategies include litigation, research, legislative and administrative advocacy, and communications.
The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies is dedicated to defending the human rights of refugees seeking asylum in the United States. With a strategic focus and extensive legal expertise, CGRS champions complex cases, advocates for due process, and promotes policies that ensure safety and justice for refugees.
The Center for Constitutional Rights has been fighting for justice and liberation since 1966, working with communities facing threats from oppressive systems of power, including structural racism and governmental overreach. Their efforts include litigation, advocacy, and strategic communications.
The Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that promotes democracy and social progress through litigation, policy initiatives, public education, and regulatory engagement.
The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, a non-partisan public interest organization within Georgetown Law, focuses on defending constitutional rights and protecting democratic processes through litigation, policy work, and public education.
As the case progresses, it will be closely watched for its implications on the rights of asylum seekers and the broader immigration landscape in the United States.
Source: Original article