John Block, a representative from New Mexico, expressed concerns regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision on immigration, stating it would "endanger Americans" and voiced support for offshore detention of undocumented individuals. This statement was made on the social media platform X.
"Thank you, Justices Alito and Thomas for actually caring about the Constitution and the people instead of being open-borders Marxist trash," said Block, New Mexico State Representative for 51st District (R). "Much appreciated. A sad day in America. Maybe Trump can put all the criminal aliens on tankers converted to jails in US-controlled waters—away from Americans—pending trial."
On May 19, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an unsigned order allowing the Trump administration to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan migrants, impacting approximately 350,000 people. According to The Wall Street Journal, this ruling overturned a lower court's injunction and reinforced the executive branch’s broad authority over immigration policy. It also raised constitutional concerns about due process rights for undocumented immigrants. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, highlighting tensions within the Court over immigration-related liberties.
According to CBS News, deportations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reached a decade-high in 2024 due to expanded enforcement policies under the Trump administration. The government is targeting over 1.4 million undocumented immigrants with final deportation orders and aims to remove one million in a single year. However, logistical issues and international diplomacy continue to impede full implementation of this goal.
Over the past decade, as reported by The Washington Post, the U.S. Supreme Court has increasingly influenced immigration enforcement through decisions on issues such as Temporary Protected Status, executive limits, and nationwide injunctions. The Court has frequently ruled on balancing executive authority with individual constitutional rights, indicating a trend of judicial intervention in immigration policy and elevating its role in determining due process for non-citizens.
Block has served as a Republican representative in the New Mexico House of Representatives for District 51 since 2023. According to the official New Mexico Legislature site, he sits on both the Government, Elections & Indian Affairs and Consumer & Public Affairs committees. Block has been a strong advocate for restrictive immigration policies, including proposing $1.5 billion for border wall construction, reflecting his broader legislative focus on border security.
