A U.S. federal judge has issued a ruling that blocks the Trump administration’s efforts to significantly expand the procedure for swiftly deporting migrants without a court hearing, delivering a major legal setback to the president’s plans for mass deportations.
The process, known as “expedited removal,” was initially designed to quickly deport migrants who had recently crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and were apprehended within the first two weeks of entry. However, since January, the Trump administration sought to broaden this measure nationwide, applying it to migrants who had been in the United States for up to two years.
U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that the expansion of expedited removal was unconstitutional in its broader application. She expressed concerns that applying this procedure to individuals who had already established residence in the country could result in wrongful deportations, effectively denying them due process and the opportunity to demonstrate their lawful presence or other grounds for remaining in the United States.
In her detailed 48-page opinion, Judge Cobb highlighted the clear distinction between the original group of migrants targeted under expedited removal—those apprehended shortly after crossing the border—and the newly targeted population, which included individuals who had lived in the U.S. for extended periods.
Judge Cobb was particularly critical of the government’s argument that individuals who entered the country illegally are not entitled to the constitutional protections of due process under the Fifth Amendment. She noted, “Were that right, not only noncitizens, but everyone would be at risk,” underscoring the fundamental principle that due process is a universal right, not limited by immigration status.
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by Make The Road New York, a migrant rights advocacy group. While the judge affirmed that the expedited removal statute remains constitutional when applied at the border, she stressed that extending the measure to long-term residents would violate their legal rights.
This decision represents another legal obstacle for President Trump, who has pledged to deport millions of undocumented migrants if he returns to the White House. His administration has faced repeated challenges over deportation policies, particularly concerning the balance between immigration enforcement and constitutional protections for individuals.
Judge Cobb further cited the Constitution, emphasizing that “no person shall be removed from the United States without opportunity, at some time, to be heard,” reinforcing the critical importance of due process in the country’s immigration system.
The ruling is likely to shape ongoing debates over immigration policy, expedited deportations, and the rights of migrants living in the U.S., ensuring that constitutional protections are maintained even in the context of aggressive enforcement strategies.
