Expedited Deportation Expansion Challenged in Court, Halted by Judge

The Trump administration’s immigration policies encountered a significant legal setback with a US federal judge’s ruling against the expanded use of expedited deportations. This decision acts as a notable impediment to the former president’s mass deportation proposals, emphasizing the crucial role of judicial review in immigration cases. The legal action centered on the administration’s effort to broaden the scope of the expedited deportation process. This process had been previously employed for migrants apprehended near the Mexican border within a limited timeframe. The US District Judge Zia Cobb blocked the administration’s attempt to extend the process nationwide, including migrants who had resided in the US for a more extended period. The judge found the expansion illegal, underscoring the risk of erroneous deportations for individuals who are not afforded full legal process. Judge Cobb cited the Constitution, specifically the Fifth Amendment, in her ruling, asserting that due process protections must be upheld.