Court reaffirms ruling limiting Trump’s asylum ban at US, Mexico border

A three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals on Friday reaffirmed the ruling limiting President Trump’s asylum ban at the U.S.-Mexico border, blocking the president’s Day 1 order. 

Shortly after taking office, Trump issued a proclamation seeking to end asylum for all migrants besides those who entered the U.S. at ports of entry, contending the change was needed to address the “invasion” at the border with Mexico. 

The American Civil Liberties Union sued the administration on behalf of nonprofits in early February. Last month, a U.S. District Court Judge, Randolph Moss, an appointee of former President Obama, blocked Trump’s ban, saying the administration violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). 

A panel of judges at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit - Patricia Millett, Cornelia Pillard and Gregory G. Katsas - issued an administrative pause on Moss’ early July ruling. Moss argued that the president overstepped his authority in severely limiting asylum for those migrants fleeing danger and persecution. 

The D.C. circuit panel lifted its stay on Moss’ decision. The three-judge panel narrowed the extent of the district judge’s decision, permitting the U.S. government to keep utilizing Trump’s order to forbid migrants from participating in the asylum system. 

"The President secured the border in record time at an unprecedented level by using every available legal tool provided by Congress. A rogue district judge took those tools away, threatening the safety and security of Americans and ignoring a Supreme Court decision issued only days earlier admonishing district courts for granting nationwide injunctions,” Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told CBS News. 

“The Trump Administration is committed to restoring integrity to our immigration system and to our justice system,” McLaughlin added.