Federal Judge Blocks Trump Immigration Order, Legal Battle Continues

Washington, D.C. — A federal judge on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at preventing migrants from seeking asylum in the United States. This ruling poses a significant setback for the Trump administration as it seeks to enforce strict immigration policies.

U.S. District Judge Randolph Daniel Moss, appointed by former President Barack Obama, stated that Trump’s Jan. 20 proclamation, which targeted migrants deemed to be part of an ‘invasion’ at the southern border, exceeded his constitutional authority. Moss rendered his decision in response to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of various migrant groups and 13 asylum-seekers.

The lawsuit urged the court to block the proclamation, calling the action ‘as unlawful as it is unprecedented.’ Moss agreed, stating that the president lacks the authority to bypass federal laws governing asylum and removals.

‘To hold otherwise would render much, if not most, of the INA simply optional,’ he added in a comprehensive 128-page opinion. The judge has granted a 14-day stay on the order, allowing the Trump administration to appeal the decision to a higher court.

The court has also certified a class of migrants potentially impacted by Trump’s proclamation. This certification enables the lawsuit to proceed under new limitations set by the Supreme Court last week.

In his opinion, Moss acknowledged the challenges faced by the executive branch in preventing illegal entry into the U.S. and managing a backlog of asylum claims. However, he maintained that neither the executive order nor the Immigration and Nationality Act granted Trump the extensive authority claimed.

This ruling was met with criticism from the Trump administration, which said it undermines the intent of recent Supreme Court decisions. The administration is expected to swiftly challenge the ruling in a higher court.

Lee Gelernt, an attorney for the ACLU representing the plaintiffs, celebrated the judge’s decision as a critical victory for asylum seekers. He emphasized that it upholds the principle that the president must comply with laws passed by Congress.

Gelernt stated, ‘Not only will it save the lives of families fleeing grave danger, it reaffirms that the president cannot ignore the laws Congress has passed.’

Trump adviser Stephen Miller condemned the ruling, branding Judge Moss as a ‘marxist’ judge, reflecting the broader tension surrounding Trump’s immigration policies.

The judge’s ruling emerges amidst ongoing federal efforts to enforce stringent immigration policies as Trump enters his second presidential term. The Supreme Court also considered arguments earlier this year regarding Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship.