A United States Federal Judge Issues Nationwide Injunction Halting Controversial Asylum Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A United States federal judge has issued a nationwide injunction halting a controversial new asylum policy, citing violations of due process and existing immigration law. The ruling, delivered by Judge Sarah Mitchell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, was filed yesterday at 2:45 PM Eastern Time. It temporarily blocks the Department of Homeland Security from enforcing a rule that would have allowed expedited removal of asylum seekers without a court hearing at the border. The judge determined the policy overstepped executive authority and risked irreparable harm to vulnerable individuals, including unaccompanied minors. The Department of Justice immediately announced plans to appeal the decision, arguing it threatens national security. As of this report, the White House has not issued an official statement. Legal analysts suggest the injunction could remain in effect for months, impacting thousands of pending asylum cases. The news broke after a coalition of civil rights organizations filed the initial lawsuit, leading to a five-hour hearing last week. For WSJ News, this is a developing story.