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Federal judge demands deportation flights with suspected Venezuelan gang members to come back to the United States after Trump uses Alien Enemies Act.

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President Trump was blocked by a federal judge from using an old law, the Alien Enemies Act, to quickly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members without a fair hearing. The judge prohibited any flights carrying these individuals from deporting them, demanding that they return.

US District Judge James Boasberg acted swiftly upon a challenge from civil rights groups, preventing US officials from deporting a group of Venezuelans using this wartime law. Reports from The Washington Post highlighted the judge’s decision.


James Boasberg, the incoming chief judge of the US District Court, standing in a courtroom in a black robe
James Boasberg ordered the planes to return to the United States late Saturday night. Bloomberg via Getty Images

A large white airplane at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica carrying 65 deported migrants from various countries, 25 February 2025
The Trump administration has been ramping up deportation flights. JEFFREY ARGUEDAS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The judge from the District of Columbia, Chief Judge James Boasberg, was informed that flights were already leaving with the individuals. In response, he instructed the Trump administration to stop all deportations immediately and bring back any planes carrying migrants to the United States.

It comes as Trump made efforts late Saturday to expand the use of the order to deport migrant gang members nationwide.

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