In a significant legal setback for the Trump administration, Washington, D.C.-based District Judge Jia Cobb issued a ruling on Friday that temporarily halts the expansion of expedited removals of illegal migrants living in the U.S. interior. The Trump administration had sought to broaden the scope of expedited removals to apply to any migrant residing in the country without authorization for less than two years—a substantial shift from the process that was previously limited to those captured within 100 miles of the border and within 14 days of entry.
Judge Cobb, a Biden appointee, underlined the need for due process under the Fifth Amendment, stating that prioritizing speed in the deportation process could lead to the erroneous removal of individuals. The administration's push for swifter enforcement was part of a broader agenda to strengthen immigration law adherence and curb illegal immigration throughout the nation. However, in her 48-page opinion, Judge Cobb highlighted that the expanded policy lacked sufficient procedural protections for those it would affect.
The ruling prevents the immediate use of expedited removal for migrants with parole status and indefinitely postpones the Trump administration's broader plan pending a future court hearing. This pause is a continuation of the legal challenges faced by the Trump administration's immigration policies. Previously, expedited removal was blocked by a federal judge but eventually took effect in October 2020, leading to the deportation of 17 migrants before the practice was ended by the Biden administration.
A Department of Homeland Security official, expressing frustration with the ruling, declared that the judge's decision overlooks the President's constitutional powers and the clear provisions of federal law. The official defended the administration's stance, stating that their actions aimed at placing illegal aliens who have been in the U.S. for less than two years into expedited removal were in full accordance with federal law.
This latest legal hurdle is not the only one faced by the Trump administration. Judge Cobb is concurrently overseeing another high-profile case against Trump, involving Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook. Furthermore, the administration continues to strive for stricter immigration enforcement across the country amid mounting legal and political opposition.
