Federal 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 reinstate the Trump administration's expedited removal policy, allowing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume fast-track deportations of certain illegal immigrants. The court vacated a previous order from 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 possible legal defenses. DHS General Counsel James Percival expressed support for the ruling, stating that the decision validates their approach to applying the law. Judge Robert Wilkins dissented, arguing that the procedures do not provide migrants a meaningful opportunity to prove their continuous presence in the U.S. for at least two years.