The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit against U.S. President Donald Trump for shutting down the U.S.-Mexico border. The lawsuit was filed on Monday, February 3, in the District Court of Washington, D.C.
The lawsuit accuses Trump’s immigration actions as “illegal” and “undesirable,” stating in the complaint: “The government is doing exactly what directly contradicts the laws of Congress. The government is returning asylum seekers—not just a few individuals, but entire families—to countries where they face a high risk of persecution or harm, without the consent of Congress.”
The lawsuit is supported by partner organizations including the Arizona-based Florence Project, the El Paso-based Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, and the Texas-based RAICES.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not commented on the lawsuit. However, White House spokesperson Kush Desai told U.S. media outlet AP that, “The American people have mandated President Trump to end the abuse of our immigration laws and to secure our borders. The Trump administration will put the American people and the United States first.”
Liberty News’ international correspondent reports that from 2017 to 2020, during his first term in office, Trump began the construction of a wall along the border. However, after winning the 2021 election and assuming office, his successor, Joe Biden, halted the wall’s construction. In the 2024 election, Trump won back the presidency. Upon taking office again, he closed the southern border and shut down the shelters that were set up for immigrants crossing the border.
LND/SAKIB
