Republicans have landed their first blow against the new administration, according to the New York Times.
The judge, Drew B. Tipton, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, said in his ruling that the suspension of deportations would violate a provision of the immigration statute (waiting 100 days for internal review as opposed to the current practice of 90 days and you’re out), as well as another law that required agencies to provide a rational explanation for their policy decisions.
Biden originally proposed the moratorium to allow more time for internal review, but apparently Texas feels those 10 days are crucial, and that the mandatory language of the immigration law should not be “neutered by the federal government’s broad discretion.”
Thankfully, this kind of blow shouldn’t leave much of a scar, as the judge only has two weeks to consider a broader motion for a preliminary injunction.