Axios Today discusses how courts drive US immigration policy, covering recent lawsuits, Biden's asylum restrictions, and Governor Abbott's actions. They also touch on therapy speak, its impact when misused, and its weaponization in everyday communication.
US courts play a crucial role in shaping immigration policy, as demonstrated by the recent lawsuits against Texas and the striking down of the Biden administration's asylum restriction.
The decrease in border crossings after the end of the pandemic policy raises questions about the effectiveness of border control measures and the impact of various policies on migration patterns.
Deep dives
US courts and immigration policy
US courts play a significant role in shaping immigration policy, as recent events have highlighted. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Texas for putting up barriers in the Rio Grande River to impede migrant crossings, while a California judge struck down the Biden administration's temporary restriction on migrants seeking asylum. These instances demonstrate how courts have become key players in determining the fate of immigration policies, showcasing the challenge of outdated US immigration laws and the difficulty of creating new legislation to address current immigration dynamics.
The decline of migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border
Contrary to expectations following the end of the pandemic policy called Title 42, which ended in May, the number of migrants and asylum seekers illegally crossing the US-Mexico border has significantly declined in recent months. In June, the number was under 100,000 for the first time since 2021. While experts predicted a surge in border crossings after the policy's end, the actual decrease raises questions about the effectiveness of border control measures and the impact of various policies on migration patterns.
The influence and impact of therapy speak
The proliferation of therapy-related language and concepts in popular culture, facilitated by social media platforms, has both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, therapy speak has increased emotional awareness by providing individuals with accessible language to describe their experiences. However, there are concerns that oversimplified and misused psychological concepts can hinder communication and even lead to the weaponization of certain terms. Non-professionals on social media are using this language to gain credibility and monetize content, potentially causing harm. To navigate this landscape, it is important to do proper research and find reliable sources for mental health information.
Guests: Axios' Stef Kight, University of Southern California's Darby Saxbe and Well.Guide's Israa Nasir.
Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.