Mullin v. Al Otro Lado
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Mullin v. Al Otro Lado.
The Supreme Court reviewed whether an alien standing in Mexico at the U.S. border is considered to have 'arrived in the United States' under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for asylum purposes. The Court determined that an alien only 'arrives' when they physically cross the border. The decision reversed the Ninth Circuit's ruling, which had affirmed that encountering a U.S. official at the border constituted arrival.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado.
The Court held that an alien standing in Mexico does not 'arrive in the United States' until they physically cross the border.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Procedural Due Process is relevant to Mullin v. Al Otro Lado
The case involves the procedural rights of aliens seeking asylum and whether they are entitled to inspection and processing when standing at the border.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The District Court certified a class of all noncitizens who seek or will seek to access the asylum process by presenting themselves at certain ports on the U. S.-Mexico border and were or will be denied access to that process by CBP officials.
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Why Standing is relevant to Mullin v. Al Otro Lado
The case discusses whether the controversy remains live and if the Government can seek relief, which involves standing principles.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The controversy remains live because a ruling for the Government could reverse the declaratory judgment and thus give the Government the effectual relief it seeks.
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Why Administrative Law is relevant to Mullin v. Al Otro Lado
The case involves the interpretation of the INA and the limits of agency action in enforcing immigration policies.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The Government rescinded the metering policy in November 2021, shortly after the District Court entered summary judgment.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado that support the summary and concepts above.
An alien 'arrives in the United States' only when he crosses the border.
The INA thus neither entitles an alien standing in Mexico to apply for asylum nor requires an immigration officer to inspect him.
The Government represents that it would like to resume the use of metering when border conditions warrant it.