CBP tells judge they can't comply with refund order

updated with more context

quote:

---

CBP, in a court filing, cited its existing technology, processes and manpower requirements as the reasons it could not immediately comply with the conditions of Judge Richard Eaton’s order on the so-called IEEPA tariffs. The Supreme Court recently ruled those duties are illegal.

But CBP also suggested in the new filing that it could begin issuing refunds by late April after revamping its technology.

Brandon Lord, executive director of the trade programs directorate at CBP’s Office of Trade, in the filing said that as of Wednesday, more than 330,000 importers have made a total of over 53 million
entries “in which they have deposited or paid duties imposed pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.”

Trump had invoked that act to slap reciprocal tariffs in various amounts on imported products from most of the world’s countries, without authorization from Congress.

The filing came as Eaton was set to hold a hearing Friday on the refund issue at the Court of International Trade in New York City.

Eaton has been designated as the only CIT judge who will hear lawsuits from importers seeking refunds on Trump’s tariffs in light of the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling invalidating them on Feb. 20, in the case known as Learning Resources v. Trump.

CBP in the filing said it “is confident that it can develop and implement” new functionality in its Automated Commercial Environment —the system for tracking imported merchandise – “that will streamline and consolidate refunds and interest payments on an importer basis,” instead of issuing more than 54 million separate refunds.

“CBP is making all possible efforts to have this new ACE functionality ready for use in 45 days,” the agency said. “This new process will require minimal submission from importers.”

The agency said it estimates that changing the ACE system “will save CBP over 4 million hours” of work by employees.

---

quote:

---

But CBP also suggested in the new filing that it could begin issuing refunds by late April after revamping its technology.

---

Meh, sounds like a non-issue.

I’m a big fan of the 3 branches of government but a fricking judge can’t dictate foreign policy.

quote:

---

I’m a big fan of the 3 branches of government but a fricking judge can’t dictate foreign policy.

---

As someone who is a big fan of the three branches of government, do you believe that the Executive Branch has unfettered discretion in all matters involving foreign nationals, or do you believe the Legislative Branch also has a role in some matters involving foreign nationals? If the latter, which branch of government should settle a dispute if either the Executive or the Legislative is accused of invading the province of the other?