US Supreme Court Increases Government Power Over Immigration and Asylum

美國最高法院增加政府對移民與庇護的權力


Introduction

The Supreme Court of the United States has made several decisions that give the Trump administration more power to limit asylum access, end humanitarian protections, and make it easier to deport legal permanent residents.

美國最高法院做出數項裁決,賦予川普政府更多權力來限制庇護獲准、終止人道主義保護,並使驅逐合法永久居民變得更容易。

Main Body

In the case of Mullin v. Al Otro Lado, the Court decided by a 6-3 majority that people have not 'arrived' in the US until they physically enter the country. This means border officials can use 'metering' policies to block asylum seekers from entering to avoid processing their claims. Justice Samuel Alito emphasized that the law should be read based on physical entry. However, Justice Sonia Sotomayor argued that this decision encourages illegal entry and ignores the humanitarian goals of the 1980 Refugee Act.

在 Mullin v. Al Otro Lado 案中,法院以 6 比 3 的多數票決定,人們在身體上進入美國之前並不視為「到達」美國。這意味著邊境官員可以使用「分流」政策來阻止庇護申請者進入,以避免處理其申請。大法官 Samuel Alito 強調,法律應根據身體進入來解讀。然而,大法官 Sonia Sotomayor 主張此決定鼓勵非法入境,並無視了 1980 年《難民法》的人道主義目標。

At the same time, the Court ruled that the government has the authority to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for about 350,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians. The majority stated that the law prevents courts from reviewing the Secretary of Homeland Security's decisions on this matter. Justice Elena Kagan disagreed, asserting that the decision to remove protections for Haitians was based on racial prejudice. The majority rejected this claim, stating the decision was based on policy rather than race.

同時,法院裁定政府有權終止約 35 萬名海地人和 6,100 名敘利亞人的臨時保護狀態 (TPS)。多數意見指出,法律禁止法院審查國土安全部部長在此事上的決定。大法官 Elena Kagan 不同意此觀點,並主張取消海地人保護的決定是基於種族偏見。多數派駁回了這一說法,稱該決定是基於政策而非種族。

Furthermore, in Blanche v. Muk Choi Lau, the Court ruled that border officials do not need strong evidence of criminal activity to treat a returning permanent resident as an 'applicant for admission.' This makes it easier to start deportation proceedings. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned that this gives the government too much power and could threaten the security of millions of legal residents. Consequently, White House adviser Stephen Miller stated that the US is now 'completely closed' to asylum seekers.

此外,在 Blanche v. Muk Choi Lau 案中,法院裁定邊境官員不需要強而有力的犯罪活動證據,即可將一名返回的永久居民視為「入境申請人」。這使得啟動驅逐程序變得更加容易。大法官 Ketanji Brown Jackson 警告,這賦予政府過多權力,可能會威脅數百萬合法居民的安全。因此,白宮顧問 Stephen Miller 表示,美國現在對庇護申請者「完全關閉」。

Conclusion

These judicial decisions show a major shift toward giving the executive branch more control over immigration, making it faster for the government to remove migrants and limit legal entry.

這些司法決定顯示出一個重大轉向,即賦予行政部門更多對移民的控制權,使政府能更快地驅逐移民並限制合法入境。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The 'Power Move': From Basic Verbs to B2 Authority

At the A2 level, you usually use simple verbs like give, say, or stop. To reach B2, you need Precise Verbs. These are words that don't just tell us what happened, but how it happened.

🔍 The Upgrade Path

Look at how the article replaces basic ideas with "Power Verbs":

  • Instead of "Stop": \rightarrow Limit

    • A2: The government wants to stop asylum access.
    • B2: The government wants to limit asylum access. (This is more professional; it means reducing the amount, not just stopping it completely).
  • Instead of "Say": \rightarrow Assert / Emphasize

    • A2: Justice Kagan said the decision was about race.
    • B2: Justice Kagan asserted that the decision was based on racial prejudice. (Asserting is stronger than saying; it means stating something with confidence and force).
  • Instead of "Change": \rightarrow Shift

    • A2: There is a big change in the law.
    • B2: These decisions show a major shift toward giving the executive branch more control. (A 'shift' implies a movement in direction or policy).

🛠️ Linguistic Blueprint: The "Verb + Target" Pattern

To sound like a B2 speaker, stop using "very" or basic adjectives. Use a verb that contains the emotion or the intensity.

Basic Action (A2)B2 Power VerbContext from Text
Block/StopPrevent"The law prevents courts from reviewing..."
Warn/SayThreaten"...could threaten the security of millions."
Help/Make easyEncourage"...this decision encourages illegal entry."

Coach's Tip: When you write your next essay, highlight every time you used the word 'say', 'get', or 'do'. Replace them with one of these specific verbs to immediately bridge the gap to B2 fluency.

Vocabulary Learning

humanitarian (adj.)
concerned with promoting human welfare and reducing suffering
Example:The organization provided humanitarian aid to refugees fleeing the war zone.
emphasized (v.)
gave special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing
Example:The teacher emphasized the importance of reviewing the vocabulary before the exam.
authority (n.)
the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience
Example:The manager has the authority to approve the budget for the new project.
asserting (v.)
stating a fact or belief confidently and forcefully
Example:The lawyer continued asserting that her client was innocent of all charges.
prejudice (n.)
an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling formed without enough thought or knowledge
Example:The company implemented new rules to prevent racial prejudice during the hiring process.
proceedings (n.)
the formal process of a legal case in a court of law
Example:The legal proceedings against the company lasted for several months.
consequently (adv.)
as a result of something that has happened
Example:He failed to study for the test; consequently, he received a low grade.
judicial (adj.)
relating to a court or the administration of justice
Example:The judicial system is designed to ensure that every citizen receives a fair trial.
Practice B2 words in a crossword