A federal appeals court declared President Trump’s blanket denial of asylum claims at the southern border unlawful, overturning a 2‑to‑1 decision that had upheld the ban. The ruling cites that existing immigration law does not permit the president to impose his own summary removal procedures.

Judge J. Michelle Childs wrote that the administration’s proclamation of an “invasion” and the resulting border closure exceeded statutory authority. The decision removes a key legal barrier, allowing the U.S. to resume processing new asylum applications.

The judgment will take effect in seven days, giving the Justice Department time to seek a rehearing or appeal to the Supreme Court. The ruling also intersects with an ongoing Supreme Court case on whether asylum seekers can be turned back before filing a claim, underscoring a broader judicial pushback against executive overreach.