In a significant legal setback for the Trump administration’s immigration policies, a federal court has ruled to block the expansion of fast-track deportations across the United States.
U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb’s ruling halts two controversial policies introduced in January 2021 that sought to expedite the removal of millions of immigrants detained far from the southern border.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, strikes a blow to the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation agenda, which sought to dramatically broaden the use of expedited removal—a process that has traditionally applied only to individuals apprehended within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border and within 14 days of entry. Under the policies introduced by Trump, these expedited procedures were set to be applied nationwide, significantly increasing the number of people eligible for quick deportation.
Judge Cobb’s decision follows a lawsuit filed by Make the Road New York, an immigrant advocacy group, which argued that the expanded use of expedited removal violated immigrants’ due process rights. In her ruling, Cobb agreed, stating that applying these policies to individuals living far from the border posed a “significant risk” of wrongful deportations. These errors could potentially affect immigrants who are legally authorized to stay in the U.S.
“[The court] merely holds that in applying the statute to a huge group of people living in the interior of the country who have not previously been subject to expedited removal, the Government must afford them due process,” Judge Cobb wrote. “The procedures currently in place fall short.”
The judge made it clear that she was not questioning the constitutionality of expedited removals but rather emphasized the need for the government to ensure adequate safeguards are in place when applying this fast-tracked process. “When it comes to people living in the interior of the country, prioritizing speed over all else will inevitably lead the government to erroneously remove people via this truncated process,” Cobb added.
The ruling highlights the constitutional rights of immigrants living in the U.S. who have a “weighty liberty interest” in remaining in the country. Judge Cobb affirmed that these individuals must be provided due process under the Fifth Amendment, regardless of where they are located.
The policies in question were introduced during the first week of Trump’s second term and aimed to widen the net of expedited removals. Previously, this process was used mainly in border areas and only for individuals within a short window of entry. But the Trump administration sought to apply it across the entire country, potentially affecting millions who had been living in the U.S. for years without facing immediate deportation.
Despite the ruling, the Trump administration’s deportation efforts have not been fully derailed. Deportations have reached their highest levels in a decade, with approximately 200,000 individuals removed from the U.S. since Trump’s second term began. The overall immigrant population also dropped by 1.4 million between January and July of 2021, according to Pew Research Center, as people left out of fear or were forced to depart.
While mass deportations continue in some areas, including high-profile ICE raids in places like California, Judge Cobb’s decision represents a clear victory for immigrant rights groups. It places significant constraints on the Trump administration’s fast-track deportation plan and serves as a reminder of the need to safeguard due process for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
The court’s ruling also sends a strong message that speed in enforcement cannot override fundamental rights. Immigrants facing deportation, especially those living far from the border and previously unsubjected to expedited removal, must have access to a fair and transparent legal process.
