On July 2, 2025, a DC federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s sweeping attempt to restrict asylum access at the southern US border, ruling that the president’s actions exceeded his legal authority and violated federal immigration law.
US District Judge Randolph Moss issued the decision in response to a legal challenge brought by 13 asylum seekers and several immigrant rights organizations. The case centered on a January 20 proclamation by President Trump declaring an “invasion” at the southern border and directing immigration authorities to impose severe restrictions on asylum eligibility.
Key Provisions of the Proclamation
- Migrants who crossed the border between ports of entry were barred from applying for asylum or seeking protection under the Convention Against Torture.
- Even those who entered through legal ports of entry faced heightened documentation requirements, including detailed medical and criminal histories not mandated by existing law.
- The policy allowed for rapid deportation of individuals fleeing violence or persecution, bypassing standard asylum processing procedures.
Judge Moss’s Ruling
- In a 128-page opinion, Judge Moss ruled that the proclamation attempted to create “an alternative immigration system” that has no basis in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) or the US Constitution. “Nothing in the INA or the Constitution grants the President the sweeping authority asserted in the Proclamation and implementing guidance,” Moss wrote. “An appeal to necessity cannot fill that void.”
- He emphasized that the INA provides the “sole and exclusive” legal framework for removing individuals from the US, regardless of how burdensome the process may be for the Executive Branch.
- The ruling applies to all individuals currently in or entering the US who would have been subject to the proclamation’s restrictions. A separate decision will address the status of individuals already deported under the now-invalidated policy.
- Judge Moss agreed to pause the enforcement of his ruling for 14 days, giving the Trump administration time to appeal to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
This decision marks another significant legal setback for President Trump’s immigration agenda, following a recent federal court ruling that blocked early termination of Haiti TPS designation. Although Moss acknowledged the Supreme Court’s ruling on nationwide injunctions, he noted that federal courts still retain the authority to “set aside” unlawful agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act.
The ruling ensures that asylum seekers retain access to protections under US and international law, including the Convention Against Torture, while the legal process continues.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.
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