Judge Rules Trump’s Push for Fast-Track Deportations Violates Migrants’ Due Process Rights | CNN Politics

A federal judge recently halted an initiative from the Trump administration aimed at speeding up deportations of migrants already living in the United States. Judge Jia Cobb criticized the plan for violating due process rights.

This policy focused on migrants who are no longer at the border and have been in the country for a significant time. Judge Cobb emphasized that these individuals have a strong interest in staying in the U.S. and are entitled to due process according to the Fifth Amendment.

The push for quicker deportations started early in Trump’s second term. Initially, expedited removal was limited to those detained near the border and present in the U.S. for less than two weeks. Judge Cobb expressed concern that the administration’s stance suggested migrants should not have due process rights at all.

The judge stated, “If the government could merely accuse someone of unlawful entry and bypass due process, it could happen to anyone.” This raises larger questions about individual rights and government authority.

Make the Road New York, an immigrant advocacy group, is challenging this policy, claiming it leads to the arrest and deportation of individuals without fair hearings. They argue that the law is vague and that the Department of Homeland Security is overstepping its boundaries by detaining those trying to comply with immigration processes.

On the other hand, the government believes this policy is a legitimate effort to enhance efficiency in immigration enforcement and reduce the backlog of cases in the courts.

In her ruling, Judge Cobb did not question the constitutionality of expedited removal at the border, but she insisted that due process must be upheld for people living in the U.S. who have not been previously subject to these rapid removal processes.

The importance of due process has broad implications. According to a recent survey by the American Bar Association, 64% of participants believe that undocumented migrants should have the same rights as citizens in legal proceedings. This reflects a growing sentiment that fair treatment is crucial, regardless of immigration status.

Judge Cobb previously paused enforcement on a Trump-era rule that expedited deportations of migrants using humanitarian parole programs. As this legal battle unfolds, it highlights ongoing tensions over immigration policies in the U.S.

For more on immigrant rights, you can refer to the American Immigration Council.

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