Florida judge blocks quick migrant release policy, raising concerns about overcrowding

El Paso, Texas — A federal judge in Florida on Thursday temporarily blocked the Biden administration from continuing a migrant release policy designed to alleviate overcrowding at immigration holding facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The ruling came just hours before the expiration of the Title 42 border restrictions on Thursday at 11:59 p.m. EDT, raising concerns about severe overcrowding in already over-capacity Border Patrol migrant facilities.

U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell ordered the Biden administration to halt the quick migrant release policy at the same it discontinued the Title 42 pandemic-era order, granting a request by Republican officials in Florida.