A federal judge just stepped into the immigration ring and threw a punch at the executive branch. On July 2, Judge Randolph D. Moss issued a ruling that blocks President Trump’s January proclamation suspending asylum access at the southern border. Moss says the president cannot override asylum laws passed by Congress. The ruling runs 128 pages and orders the administration to prepare to resume asylum processing. The decision is paused for 14 days to allow for appeal.
Trump’s order had shut down asylum claims for anyone crossing outside official ports of entry. Even those entering legally were hit with expanded documentation requirements. Moss says that created an “alternative immigration system” with no legal foundation. He wrote that “neither the Constitution nor the Immigration and Nationality Act grants the President the sweeping authority asserted in the Proclamation.” That’s the core of the ruling.
BREAKING: Obama-appointed Judge Moss overturns Trump's emergency declaration, demanding the border reopen for illegals pic.twitter.com/txfaseFxzs
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 2, 2025
The proclamation was issued on Trump’s first day in office. It declared the southern border situation an “invasion” and suspended asylum access until the president deemed the threat over. DHS followed with guidance that blocked entry for undocumented migrants and restricted legal protections. Moss says that guidance violated federal law. He certified a class of affected individuals and ordered the government to prepare for compliance.
The administration says the policy helped drive illegal crossings to record lows. Border Patrol made 6,070 arrests in June, down 30% from May. On June 28, only 137 arrests were made. That’s the lowest daily total since 1966. Mexican enforcement and Trump’s troop deployments contributed to the drop. But Moss says the president cannot bypass Congress to enforce immigration policy.
The ruling applies to all migrants currently present or who will be present in the United States. It does not yet apply to those already deported under the proclamation. A separate ruling is expected on that front. The administration is expected to appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called the decision “judicial sabotage” and said it creates a protected global class of future illegals.
The Supreme Court recently limited the ability of judges to issue nationwide injunctions. Moss acknowledged that ruling but said this case qualifies for injunctive relief under federal law. His decision blocks implementation of Trump’s proclamation and requires the government to resume asylum processing under existing statutes.
The legal fight is not over. But the ruling is active. Unless overturned, the border policy will shift. The administration has until July 16 to respond.
Sources
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/02/donald-trump-immigratin-border-asylum-ruling-00437708
https://rollcall.com/2025/07/02/judge-orders-halt-to-trump-push-to-shut-down-border-crossings/
https://www.newsweek.com/supreme-court-donald-trump-judge-asylum-seekers-immigration-2093903