A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has struck down the Trump administration’s efforts to ban asylum protections for migrants crossing through the southern border. In his ruling, Judge Randolph D. Moss overturned a proclamation issued by Trump on his first day in office that falsely declared an “invasion” at the U.S.-Mexico border and invoked emergency presidential powers to expel immigrants from the U.S. without due process or allowing them to seek asylum, in violation of international and U.S. federal law. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt, who argued the merits of the case, said in a statement, “This is a hugely important decision. Not only will it save the lives of families fleeing grave danger, it reaffirms that the president cannot ignore the laws Congress has passed and the most basic premise of our country’s separation of powers.” This follows reports the Trump administration plans to dismiss the asylum cases of hundreds of thousands of people who entered the U.S. outside a port of entry, in order to place them on expedited deportation proceedings.