Appeals Court Backs Trump Administration on Expanded Deportation

The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reverses an August 2025 decision by District Judge Jia Cobb. Cobb had initially halted the expansion after the advocacy group Make the Road New York challenged the policy, arguing it infringed upon the constitutional due process rights of migrants. The new framework targets any non-citizen unable to prove continuous presence in the country for at least two years.

Writing for the majority, Circuit Judge Justin Walker stated the administration possesses the authority to extend expedited removal to the maximum limit established by Congress. This policy marks a significant departure from the practice of the last three decades, which restricted summary removals to individuals intercepted at or near the border. The Department of Homeland Security has yet to comment on the court's decision.