CHICAGO — The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging the Trump administration’s sweeping expansion of deportation powers, saying it violates constitutional rights and could lead to errors including deporting U.S. citizens.
The ACLU filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday in Washington, D.C., on behalf of immigrant advocacy groups in Texas, New York and Florida.
Last month, the Trump administration expanded immigration officers’ authority to deport migrants without requiring them to appear before judges. Previously, “expedited removal” authority applied to those caught near the U.S. border and in the country less than two weeks. Now, it applies nationwide to those in the country less than two years.
The ACLU says everyone should have access to a hearing and legal counsel. Also, it says U.S. citizens were deported under the initial policy and the expansion will lead to more errors.
The lawsuit names the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies.
Sophia Tareen, The Associated Press
