Judge Upholds Ban on Trump’s Wartime Deportations Amid Legal Battle
A U.S. federal judge has refused to lift a temporary ban preventing the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan migrants under wartime powers, setting up a fierce legal showdown over the controversial policy.
Judge James Boasberg reaffirmed his ruling on Monday, stating that many of those deported dispute their alleged gang ties and must be given the opportunity to challenge their removal. His decision comes just hours before an appeals court hearing, where the Trump administration hopes to overturn his initial restraining order.
Deportations Under Wartime Powers
On March 15, President Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used law last activated during World War II, to justify the deportation of 238 alleged Venezuelan gang members to a high-security prison in El Salvador. Trump claimed that members of the Venezuelan crime gang Tren de Aragua were engaging in “irregular warfare” against the U.S., making their removal a national security necessity.
However, the legality of this move has been widely disputed. Boasberg had issued a 14-day halt on deportations the same evening, verbally ordering flights to be turned around. The White House insisted the deportation planes were already in international airspace and could not be recalled.
Legal Clash Over Deportation Legitimacy
The Trump administration maintains that all deportees were carefully vetted and confirmed as gang members. However, many of their family members and legal advocates dispute this, claiming that some had no known criminal records. U.S. officials have also acknowledged that a number of those deported had never been charged with crimes.
Boasberg ruled that deportations cannot proceed until the individuals have had a chance to challenge the government’s claims in court. He emphasized that while the administration could still deport Venezuelans through standard immigration procedures, it could not bypass due process by invoking wartime laws.
Trump’s Response and Political Fallout
The Trump administration has responded aggressively, filing an appeal with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to not only lift the ban but also remove Judge Boasberg from the case.
President Trump has personally attacked the judge, calling him a “constitutional disaster” and accusing him of allowing criminals to stay in the country.
Meanwhile, Trump’s Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the use of the wartime law, stating on Fox News:
“This is modern-day warfare. We will continue fighting to protect American citizens every single step of the way.”
The international response has been mixed. Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello denied that any of the deportees were gang members, and human rights organizations have condemned the move as illegal, arguing that the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela.
As the legal battle intensifies, the case could set a significant precedent for how far wartime powers can be stretched in modern immigration policy.
For the latest updates on this developing story, stay tuned to our news coverage.
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