A federal judge decided Monday to keep blocking President Trump from deporting Venezuelan migrants under a rare wartime law. The judge, James Boasberg, ruled that people already sent away must have a chance to prove they aren't gang members as the government claims. His decision stands firm just hours before an appeals court hears arguments from the Trump team trying to resume these deportations.
Trump sent 238 Venezuelans to an El Salvador prison on March 15 using a law from 1798 that nobody had used since World War II. He declared members of the Tren de Aragua gang were fighting against America, which he said allowed him to remove them under the Alien Enemies Act. Judge Boasberg ordered a 14-day stop that same evening and told officials to turn planes around, but the White House said the aircraft had already left US airspace.
The administration insists these men were checked carefully and confirmed as gang members before flying them out. Family members disagree with these claims, and even US officials admit many deportees have clean records in America. The judge noticed this problem, writing that since these people deny gang connections, courts need to hear their case before anyone ships them away. He mentioned Trump can still deport Venezuelans through normal immigration rules.
The Trump team wants to cancel the judge's order and kick him off the case through their appeal. This fight has heated up between Boasberg and government lawyers—he said Friday he never heard attorneys talk to him like Trump's team did. He promised to find out if they broke his order and who gave those instructions. Trump called Boasberg a "constitutional disaster" who lets criminals into America. The old law gives presidents big powers to remove people from "enemy" countries quickly.
Human rights groups criticize these deportations as illegal because America fights no war with Venezuela. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News Sunday they face "modern-day warfare" and will keep protecting Americans. But Venezuela's interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, claimed none of these people actually belonged to the gang - something several family members also say about their deported relatives.
Trump sent 238 Venezuelans to an El Salvador prison on March 15 using a law from 1798 that nobody had used since World War II. He declared members of the Tren de Aragua gang were fighting against America, which he said allowed him to remove them under the Alien Enemies Act. Judge Boasberg ordered a 14-day stop that same evening and told officials to turn planes around, but the White House said the aircraft had already left US airspace.
The administration insists these men were checked carefully and confirmed as gang members before flying them out. Family members disagree with these claims, and even US officials admit many deportees have clean records in America. The judge noticed this problem, writing that since these people deny gang connections, courts need to hear their case before anyone ships them away. He mentioned Trump can still deport Venezuelans through normal immigration rules.
The Trump team wants to cancel the judge's order and kick him off the case through their appeal. This fight has heated up between Boasberg and government lawyers—he said Friday he never heard attorneys talk to him like Trump's team did. He promised to find out if they broke his order and who gave those instructions. Trump called Boasberg a "constitutional disaster" who lets criminals into America. The old law gives presidents big powers to remove people from "enemy" countries quickly.
Human rights groups criticize these deportations as illegal because America fights no war with Venezuela. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News Sunday they face "modern-day warfare" and will keep protecting Americans. But Venezuela's interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, claimed none of these people actually belonged to the gang - something several family members also say about their deported relatives.
