Appeals Court Allows Trump to Restart Expedited Deportations Across the U.S.

Court approves expedited deportations

Trump expands migrant removals

Debate over due process

A federal appeals court authorized President Donald Trump’s administration to resume using the expedited deportation process throughout the United States.

The decision represents a major boost to his strategy of carrying out faster removals within the immigration system.

The ruling overturns a previous decision from a lower court that had blocked the expansion of the program.

That court had warned that large-scale implementation could violate due process protections.

Appeals Court Authorizes Expedited Deportations Across the U.S.

Appeals court authorizes Trump administration to expand the reach of expedited migrant deportations. https://t.co/XuNCiDM9VP

— CNN en Español (@CNNEE) June 23, 2026

The central debate focuses on whether the government can use expedited deportations beyond the traditional border context.

The appeals panel issued its decision in a 2-1 vote, according to Univision.

The ruling was issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

The case reopens one of the most controversial tools in recent immigration policy.

The Appeals Court’s Decision

Breaking News | Federal appeals court authorizes Trump administration to restart expedited deportations in the U.S. https://t.co/nR0RWCXUl7

— Primer Impacto (@PrimerImpacto) June 23, 2026

The majority of the panel included judges Justin R. Walker and Neomi Rao.

Both judges were appointed by President Donald Trump.

In his opinion, Judge Walker stated that Congress gave the executive branch authority to determine the scope of the procedure.

According to the ruling, the expansion implemented in January 2025 remains within legal limits.

Walker said the government expanded the process “to the maximum extent permitted by Congress.”

He also stated that there is no legal requirement to provide detailed guidance to detainees on how to avoid expedited deportation.

The decision reverses a previous ruling that had halted the policy.

Scope of the Expedited Deportation Process

Expedited removal allows authorities to deport certain individuals without a hearing before an immigration judge.

It applies to undocumented migrants who cannot prove two years of continuous residence in the country.

With the expansion, ICE agents can apply the process anywhere in U.S. territory.

Authorities may require individuals to provide proof of their ties to the country at the time of arrest.

Internal guidelines indicate that individuals must be given a brief opportunity to present documents.

However, civil rights organizations have questioned the level of discretion given to agents.

They argue that accelerated deportation proceedings could lead to mistakes or rushed judgments.

The case has renewed concerns about removals carried out without prior judicial review.

Divided Reactions After the Decision

Judge Robert L. Wilkins issued the dissenting opinion on the panel.

Wilkins, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, questioned the application of the system inside the country.

He described the policy as “woefully inadequate” outside the border context.

He also noted that the Department of Homeland Security has not denied previous mistakes.

According to his position, the system does not guarantee enough information about how long individuals have lived in the United States.

“A procedure that can result in deportation (…) without even asking how long they have been in the country could satisfy due process at the border, but it is inadequate in the interior,” Wilkins stated.

From the Department of Homeland Security, General Counsel James Percival celebrated the ruling.

He said the D.C. Circuit “vindicated” the government’s position.

Percival argued that DHS had restricted the use of the mechanism “arbitrarily” for years.

He also said the decision allows authorities to enforce the law as written.

The official added that “it is not too late” for individuals to choose voluntary departure.

In that context, he mentioned a $2,600 payment offered by the administration as an incentive.

Meanwhile, ACLU attorney Anand Balakrishnan criticized the ruling.

He warned that the system could expose people to errors in accelerated deportation proceedings.

He argued that the decision weakens due process protections in deportation cases.

The case remains open regarding its next legal steps.