A federal appeals court in the United States has ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with expanding the fast-track deportation process, a policy that mirrors one adopted in 2019 and later rescinded by the Biden administration. The decision, issued on June 23, 2026, by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, allows the government to expedite removals of immigrants who cannot demonstrate they have been in the country for more than two years.
Court Ruling Details
The ruling overturns a lower court injunction that had blocked the expansion. According to the appeals court, the Department of Homeland Security has the authority to broaden the use of expedited removal, a process that allows certain immigrants to be deported without a hearing before an immigration judge. The court stated that the policy falls within the government's enforcement discretion under immigration law.
The Trump administration had argued that the expansion is necessary to address illegal immigration and reduce strain on the immigration court system. The policy was first introduced in 2019, targeting immigrants who had been in the U.S. for less than two years and were apprehended anywhere in the country. Previously, expedited removal was primarily applied to those caught within 100 miles of the border and who had been in the U.S. for less than 14 days.
Impact and Reactions
Immigrant advocacy groups have criticized the ruling, warning that it could lead to widespread deportations without due process. "This decision strips immigrants of their right to a fair hearing and opens the door to mass removals," said a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union, which had challenged the policy. The Biden administration had rescinded the 2019 rule in 2021, citing concerns over fairness and legal authority.
According to data from the Department of Homeland Security, expedited removals accounted for approximately 40% of all deportations in fiscal year 2025. The expansion could increase that share significantly, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of immigrants annually. The ruling is likely to face further legal challenges, including a possible appeal to the Supreme Court.
