US: Major Setback for Trump Administration as Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Rapid Deportation of Illegal Immigrants
In a significant blow to the Trump administration, a U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the policy aimed at expediting the deportation of illegal immigrants. The ruling comes after the administration sought to speed up the removal process for individuals who have been living in the U.S. for less than two years, bypassing the legal requirement to present them before a judge.
On Friday, Judge Gia Cobb of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., issued a temporary injunction against the rapid deportation plan, arguing that such actions violated the constitutional rights of migrants by denying them due process. Cobb emphasized that individuals who are expelled without the opportunity to present their case before a court face a fundamental injustice, undermining their legal rights.
The Trump administration had argued that such an expedited process was necessary to efficiently remove illegal immigrants who had been in the country for less than two years, particularly those who were detained. This proposal aimed to significantly expand the scope of expedited deportation across the U.S., allowing for quick removals without judicial oversight. Previously, this fast-track deportation process applied only to individuals found within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border and who had been in the U.S. for 14 days or less. Under the new plan, the rule would have expanded to cover a much broader group of migrants.
Former President Trump, who had campaigned on a tough stance regarding immigration, had promised to initiate a large-scale deportation effort if re-elected in 2024. His campaign outlined plans to deport one million people annually, seeking a more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement. However, the court’s ruling now puts a temporary halt to those efforts.
In her 48-page opinion, Judge Cobb sharply criticized the Trump administration’s legal defense. The judge rejected the government’s argument that those entering the U.S. illegally had no constitutional right to due process under the Fifth Amendment. Cobb noted that such an interpretation would endanger not only the rights of immigrants but also the rights of all citizens. She further warned that allowing the government to bypass legal protections for migrants could set a dangerous precedent for other groups in the future.
Civil rights organizations, including immigrant advocacy groups, had long opposed the Trump administration’s push for rapid deportations, arguing that it violated both legal principles and human rights. These groups filed lawsuits challenging the policy, citing concerns about its impact on the fairness of the U.S. immigration system.
The judge’s decision highlights the ongoing legal battles over the Trump administration’s immigration policies, particularly the controversial measures to expedite the removal of undocumented individuals. Despite the setback, the issue is likely to remain a key focus in the ongoing debate about immigration reform in the U.S., especially with the presidential election looming.
Judge Cobb, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, made clear that while she did not challenge the constitutionality of deportation laws at the U.S.-Mexico border, the expansion of these measures to a broader group of migrants requires careful scrutiny to ensure that due process is upheld for all individuals in the country. The temporary halt to the rapid deportation plan means that, for now, the Trump administration must reconsider how it handles the removal of certain illegal immigrants, respecting their legal rights as outlined in the Constitution.
