The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) enacted Title 42 in March 2020 to prevent migrants from carrying COVID-19 into the United States.

The rule allows U.S. border agents to immediately expel anyone trying to enter the country without the proper authorization. The CDC planned to retire the rule on Monday, stating it was no longer needed for public health reasons. 

Twenty-two states sued, saying the expected influx of migrants that would result would overwhelm the states’ law enforcement, education, and healthcare systems.

What happens now? U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays of Louisiana ruled Title 42 must stay in place until the lawsuit is resolved.

He said the CDC likely did not follow the required administrative procedures when it decided to discontinue the measure, and the states have a good chance of winning the case.

This story originally appeared in WORLD. © 2022, reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.