U.S. Appeals Court Revives Trump Administration's Expedited Removal Policy

On June 23, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in a 2-1 decision to revive the Trump administration's expedited removal policy, which allows for the fast-track deportation of certain illegal immigrants. The court vacated a previous ruling by U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb that had blocked the policy, stating that challengers were unlikely to succeed in their claims regarding constitutional due process violations. Judge Justin Walker, writing for the majority, noted that the Constitution requires notification of deportation actions but does not mandate that immigration officials explain all potential legal defenses. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expressed approval of the ruling, stating that it allows for the application of expedited removal to individuals who entered the U.S. illegally within the last two years. However, Judge Robert Wilkins dissented, arguing that the procedures do not provide migrants with a meaningful opportunity to prove their eligibility against expedited removal.