Wetherell had also issued a ruling in March blocking administration policy that would have allowed releasing migrants with minimal supervision; the administration is appealing that decision as well.

The judge on Saturday dismissed the request for the stay on that one, calling it “borderline frivolous,” but did not immediately rule on the request pertaining to Thursday’s ruling.

President Joe Biden and his administration had been preparing for a substantial influx of arrivals ahead of the Covid-era Title 42 rules expiring last Thursday at midnight, crafting policies designed to manage the expected surge.

Wetherell’s Thursday ruling left everything in limbo, and the Biden administration’s appeal said harm would result if his orders were not blocked as appeals continued.

“The Court should immediately stay its orders to prevent those harmful consequences while the government seeks review in the court of appeals,” the administration’s filing late Friday said.

The Justice Department filing said the state of Florida plans to oppose the stay requests.

Wetherell was an appointee of former President Donald Trump.