The US Supreme Court has temporarily allowed the Trump administration to resume deportations to third countries, pausing lower-court orders that had blocked the policy, Reuters reported.

The court’s order lets the government continue the controversial removals while litigation continues. The justices are expected to hear arguments on the policy’s legality in December, CNN reported.

Under the policy, migrants can be sent to countries other than their own, including nations they may never have visited. Rights groups say this exposes deportees to danger and breaks due process. Third-country removals differ from standard deportations to a person’s home country. The policy has faced repeated legal challenges since it was introduced.

The administration argues the policy is needed to remove people quickly when their home countries refuse to take them back. Supporters call it a tool for enforcing immigration law.

What happens next: the December hearing will decide whether the practice stands or falls, with removals continuing in the meantime.