“Why am I cutting lettuce like a steak?” one diner asked, but chefs say they have their reasons.

Lower courts had blocked the policy, saying it was not supported by evidence and violated equal protection principles.

The case, involving a 20-year-old Venezuelan, exemplifies yet another way the White House has sought new and aggressive methods to expel immigrants from the United States.

The settlement with Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian pushes the total bill for Robert A. Hadden’s actions to nearly $1 billion.