U.S. Court of Appeals Allows Trump’s Expanded Deportations

In Socorro, Texas, on February 12, 2026, a massive 826,780-square-foot warehouse shines brightly in the El Paso suburb. Recently purchased by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, this facility cost $122.8 million. Separately, a significant judicial decision unfolded affecting immigration across the U.S.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit permitted the Trump administration to resume expedited deportations for undocumented migrants nationwide. Previously, this quick deportation process primarily targeted migrants at or near the border or those arriving by sea.

President Trump expanded expedited removal in January to include undocumented migrants throughout the U.S. Immigration agents initiated immediate deportations from courthouses after immigration proceedings, removing migrants within days.

Anand Balakrishnan from the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project criticized the push for fast-track deportations. He argued that the system is flawed and unfair, undermining the principle of due process for deportations.

Judge Justin R. Walker, part of the appellate panel, stated plaintiffs failed to prove the expanded removal violated due process. He noted immigrants received notice of proceedings and a chance to respond.

Walker, along with Judge Neomi Rao, supported the expansion. Both were appointed by President Trump. The panel’s third judge, an appointee of President Barack Obama, dissented.

Walker argued the administration wasn’t required to inform immigrants of options to avoid expedited removal if they could prove a U.S. residency exceeding two years. He emphasized the requirement for government action notice, grounds, and response opportunity, countering what he described as an obligation to give legal advice.

Judges Walker and Rao vacated U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb’s order halting the expanded process. Cobb, a Biden appointee, had found the administration lacked procedures protecting migrants from wrongful deportation.

Judge Cobb cited evidence suggesting a high error risk in expedited removal, highlighting cases of long-term U.S. residents facing deportation under the process.

Walker acknowledged these errors as individual officers failing to follow the law, not flaws in written directives.

The Trump administration defended its expedited removal expansion, claiming protections against arbitrary deportations. Justice Department attorneys argued Cobb’s ruling was a severe error, depriving an essential tool to manage immigration surges efficiently.