Judge Blocks Trump’s Venezuelan Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

In a significant legal development, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has issued a restraining order against the Trump administration's plan to deport Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act. The decision, announced on March 24, 2025, effectively halts the planned deportations of thousands of Venezuelans currently in the United States.

The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by several Venezuelan immigrants and advocacy groups, arguing that the Trump administration's use of the 1798 law to justify mass deportations was unconstitutional. Judge Boasberg's order specifically addresses the immediate deportation flights scheduled to El Salvador, which were set to include MS-13 gang members among others.

Former Acting ICE Director Tom Homan criticized the ruling, suggesting that the Trump administration might defy the judge's order to proceed with the deportations. This case has sparked a broader debate on immigration policy, national security, and the legal boundaries of executive power in the United States.

• James Boasberg
• MS-13
• Tom Homan
• Venezuela