Judge blocks Donald Trump's asylum ban at Mexico border; rules president 'exceeded authority'; appeal window open

A federal judge has blocked US President Donald Trump’s asylum ban at the United States-Mexico border, ruling that the president exceeded his authority by issuing a proclamation declaring illegal immigration an emergency and bypassing existing legal processes.

In a 128-page opinion, US district judge Randolph Moss wrote that Trump’s January 20 proclamation—blocking all migrants “engaged in the invasion across the southern border” from seeking asylum or other humanitarian protections—went beyond the limits of executive power.

The decision marks a setback for Trump, a Republican who reclaimed the White House pledging a sweeping immigration crackdown. Since he took office, the number of migrants apprehended crossing the border illegally has fallen to record lows.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged the asylum ban in February, arguing it violated US law and international treaties.

Trump’s restrictions were broader than a similar ban imposed by former US President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in 2024. Key portions of Biden’s policy were blocked in May by a different federal judge in another ACLU-led lawsuit.

Moss said he would stay the effective date of his order for 14 days to give the Trump administration time to file an appeal.