Judge Overturns Trump-Era Immigration Detention Policy

Ruling forces bond hearings for migrants detained by ICE, potentially leading to thousands being released

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A federal judge has vacated an immigration court ruling that gave the Trump administration broad powers to detain migrants without bond hearings. U.S. District Court Judge Sunshine Sykes excoriated the administration's claims that it was targeting the "worst of the worst" for deportation, saying the policy swept up many non-criminal migrants. The ruling forces immigration authorities to provide bond hearings, which could lead to the release of thousands currently in custody.

Why it matters

This ruling is a significant rebuke of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which critics said often violated the rights of migrants. The decision could have major implications for the treatment of undocumented immigrants, many of whom have lived in the U.S. for years, and the ability of the government to detain them indefinitely without due process.

The details

Judge Sykes determined that the Trump administration was relying on "shaky legal ground" to detain migrants, and that they are entitled to bond hearings to determine if they can pursue their immigration cases outside of ICE detention. The ruling comes after Sykes previously found the administration's wide-ranging detention program to be illegal, though she had not provided the full relief sought by migrants at that time.

  • On February 19, 2026, Judge Sykes issued the ruling vacating the immigration court decision that had given the Trump administration broad detention powers.
  • In December 2025, Judge Sykes had previously determined that the Trump administration's detention program was illegal, but had not provided the full relief sought by migrants.

The players

Judge Sunshine Sykes

A U.S. District Court judge appointed by former President Biden who issued the ruling overturning the Trump administration's immigration detention policies.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees immigration enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants.

Liam Conejo Ramos

A migrant who, along with his father, was detained by ICE "without a valid warrant" according to Judge Sykes.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Worst of the worst' is an inaccurate description of most of those affected by DHS and ICE's operations. Perhaps in utilizing this extreme language DHS seeks to justify the magnitude and scope of its operations against non-criminal noncitizens.”

— Judge Sunshine Sykes, U.S. District Court Judge (The Hill)

“It is not the 'worst of the worst' that are swept into the nationwide and reckless violations of the law by the executive branch,”

— Judge Sunshine Sykes, U.S. District Court Judge (The Hill)

What’s next

The ruling clashes with a recent decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the Trump administration's detention practices as legal. This sets up a potential Supreme Court battle over the legality of the administration's immigration enforcement policies.

The takeaway

This ruling is a major victory for immigrant advocates who have long criticized the Trump administration's harsh approach to immigration enforcement. It could lead to the release of thousands of migrants currently detained by ICE, and sets an important legal precedent limiting the government's ability to detain undocumented immigrants indefinitely without due process.