Federal Judge Strikes Down Parts of Trump's Migrant Detention Policies

Ruling could block mass deportations and guarantee bond hearings for many non-criminal migrant detainees.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A federal judge in California has struck down large parts of the Trump administration's policies that allowed broad detention powers over migrants. Judge Sunshine Sykes, a Biden appointee, said the government's claim it was targeting the 'worst of the worst' criminal illegal immigrants was 'inaccurate' and that the policies swept too broadly, detaining many non-criminal migrants as well.

Why it matters

This ruling is a significant rebuke of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and could have major implications for how the government can detain and deport migrants going forward. It highlights ongoing legal battles over the balance between immigration enforcement and civil liberties.

The details

Judge Sykes said the administration's policies of denying bond hearings to those arrested by immigration authorities, even if they had been in the U.S. for years, was unlawful. She cited specific cases of migrants, including a father and his 5-year-old son, who were detained without a valid warrant. The ruling could block mass deportations and guarantee bond hearings for many non-criminal migrant detainees.

  • On February 19, 2026, Judge Sunshine Sykes issued the ruling striking down parts of the Trump administration's migrant detention policies.

The players

Judge Sunshine Sykes

A federal judge in California and a Biden administration appointee who ruled against the Trump administration's migrant detention policies.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that was allowed to deny bond hearings to migrants arrested by immigration authorities under the Trump administration's policies.

Adrian Conejo Arias

A migrant who was detained by the government, along with his 5-year-old son, without a valid warrant.

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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 (1010wcsi.com)

“Americans have expressed deep concerns over unlawful, wanton acts by the executive branch. 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 (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

The Department of Justice is expected to appeal the ruling and request that the detention policies be allowed to continue temporarily while the issue is being litigated.

The takeaway

This ruling is a significant setback for the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and could have far-reaching implications for how the government can detain and deport migrants going forward. It highlights the ongoing legal battles over balancing immigration enforcement and civil liberties.