A federal judge in Washington has blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to freeze most asylum claims at the southern border. Judge Randolph Moss of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the president does not have the legal authority to issue such a proclamation under immigration law or the U.S. Constitution. His decision, detailed in a lengthy 128-page opinion, puts a pause on the ruling for 14 days, allowing the Trump administration time to appeal.
In his ruling, Judge Moss acknowledged the challenges the Executive Branch faces in managing illegal immigration and the backlog of asylum claims. However, he stated that the Immigration and Nationality Act outlines the only legal methods for removing individuals already in the country. He emphasized that neither the Constitution’s Vesting Clause nor the Invasion Clause gives the president the power to create a new immigration system that overrides existing laws.
This ruling could significantly impact one of Trump’s key border policies, especially as the White House has been celebrating a notable decrease in immigration since he took office. Judge Moss also granted class-action status to the lawsuit, meaning it will apply to anyone affected by the proclamation, including those who are currently in the U.S. or will be in the future.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller criticized the ruling, suggesting that it unfairly protects future immigrants worldwide. He expressed concern that the decision undermines U.S. sovereignty and represents judicial overreach that has hindered the president’s agenda through broad injunctions from lower court judges.
This ruling comes on the heels of a recent Supreme Court decision that limited the authority of district court judges to issue nationwide injunctions against presidential actions. Justice Amy Coney Barrett noted that federal courts should not overstep their boundaries and should only resolve specific cases as authorized by Congress.
Trump had issued his proclamation on his first day in office, labeling the surge of illegal immigration at the southern border as an “invasion” and citing it as a significant public health concern. The legal battles over immigration policy continue to unfold, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the Executive Branch and the judiciary.