Story perspectives

Appeals Court Restores Nationwide Expedited Removal Policy

6/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reinstated the nationwide expedited removal policy on June 23 2026.
The panel said Congress authorized the executive branch to apply the expanded policy that removes non-citizens who cannot prove two years of residence.
Judge Justin R. Walker wrote the majority opinion with Judge Neomi Rao.
Judge Robert L. Wilkins dissented, warning of wrongful deportations.

History

Historical Context

In 1996 Congress passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, creating expedited removal and adding Section 287(g) to expand local enforcement. The Supreme Court upheld its habeas-corpus limits in *Thuraissigiam* (2020) and narrowed bond-hearing requirements in *Arteaga-Martinez* (2022). The D.C. Circuit reinstated the rule, letting judges such as Justin R. Walker and Neomi Rao enforce the original two-year residency rule.

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Story summary

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reinstated the nationwide expedited removal policy on June 23 2026.
The panel said Congress authorized the executive branch to apply the expanded policy that removes non-citizens who cannot prove two years of residence.
Judge Justin R. Walker wrote the majority opinion with Judge Neomi Rao.
Judge Robert L. Wilkins dissented, warning of wrongful deportations.

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