Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Supreme Court to Review Trump's Asylum Processing Limits
The Supreme Court is deciding if people waiting to ask for safety in the U.S. from Mexico are legally inside the U.S. when they reach the border.
This could change how the U.S. processes asylum requests.
The court will give its answer by the end of June.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on the Trump administration's defense of limiting asylum claims at the border.
The 'metering' policy allowed immigration officials to stop processing asylum seekers when ports of entry were at capacity.
The core legal question is whether asylum seekers stopped on the Mexican side of the border have 'arrived in' the United States.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals previously ruled the policy violated federal law requiring inspection of arrivals.
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on the case by the end of June.
- Who
- The U.S. Supreme Court, the Trump administration, and the advocacy group Al Otro Lado representing asylum seekers.
- What
- The Supreme Court is hearing a case concerning the U.S. government's authority to limit the processing of asylum claims at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, specifically the 'metering' policy.
- When
- The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case on a Monday, with a ruling expected by the end of June. The metering policy was formalized in 2018 and rescinded in 2021.
- Where
- At ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Why
- The case hinges on the legal interpretation of when an asylum seeker is considered to have 'arrived in the United States' and whether the government can legally limit processing claims at the border.
Advocacy Group & Asylum Seekers
Trump Administration
Definition of 'Arrived in the United States'
Advocacy Group & Asylum Seekers
Argues that asylum seekers stopped on the Mexican side of the border have effectively 'arrived' in the U.S. and are therefore entitled to have their claims processed under federal law.
Trump Administration
Argues that 'arrived in' means physically entering a location, not just approaching it. They use analogies such as not 'arriving in' Normandy while crossing the English Channel or a running back not 'arriving in' the end zone when stopped at the one-yard line.
Legality of the Metering Policy
Advocacy Group & Asylum Seekers
Contends that the 'metering' policy was an illegal scheme to circumvent legal requirements and violated federal law.
Trump Administration
Defends the government's authority to limit asylum processing at ports of entry, arguing that the policy is a legal means to manage border capacity and has indicated a likelihood of resuming the policy if border conditions warrant.
- Policy Under Review
- 'Metering' policy limiting asylum claim processing at ports of entry.
- Legal Issue
- Whether asylum seekers stopped on the Mexican side of the border have legally 'arrived' in the United States.
- Case Origin
- Lawsuit launched in 2017 by advocacy group Al Otro Lado.
- Lower Court Ruling
- 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2024 that the policy violated federal law requiring inspection of all asylum seekers who 'arrive' at border crossings.
- Policy Status
- Rescinded by President Biden in 2021; Trump administration indicates intent to resume if border conditions allow.
- Supreme Court Timeline
- Expected to issue a ruling by the end of June.
