U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halts expiration of asylum-limiting policy

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday temporarily halted the expiration of an asylum-limiting policy which was set to end later this week.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts put a temporary hold on the termination of Title 42, a policy that allows U.S. border officials to swiftly expel migrants and asylum-seekers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier on Monday, 19 Republican state attorneys general asked the high court to let Title 42 stand as states are grappling with an influx of migrants at the southern U.S. border with Mexico.

Roberts, in Monday's order, also asked the federal government to respond on the matter by late Tuesday afternoon.

The White House said on Monday that it is asking Congress for 3.5 U.S. billion dollars in funding to help with the situation at the southern border.