By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A federal judge on Saturday temporarily halted the Trump administration’s efforts to deport thousands of Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act, delaying a key policy aimed at tightening border security and removing criminal elements from the United States.
Chief Judge James E. Boasberg, an Obama-appointed judge, issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the immediate deportation of Venezuelan nationals named in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democracy Forward. The case, J.G.G. v. Trump, challenges Trump’s legal authority to use wartime measures to expedite mass deportations without traditional asylum reviews or court hearings.
Boasberg’s ruling blocks deportations for 14 days, allowing time for further legal proceedings. A remote hearing is scheduled for later today, followed by an in-person hearing Monday in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump has defended the policy, arguing that the Alien Enemies Act, first enacted in 1798, provides him the authority to remove foreign nationals from hostile nations when deemed a threat to national security. The law has historically been used during World War II to detain German, Italian, and Japanese nationals.
Officials within the Trump administration had planned to deport Venezuelan nationals identified as having gang affiliations or criminal records, citing concerns that they pose a risk to American communities. Authorities had even explored relocating high-risk individuals to Guantanamo Bay to prevent release into the U.S.
The White House issued a strong rebuke of Boasberg’s ruling, asserting that Trump’s immigration policies are designed to protect American citizens and that activist judges should not obstruct executive authority in matters of border security.
The legal battle over Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act is expected to escalate in the coming weeks, with conservative legal experts arguing that the president has clear constitutional authority to enforce immigration laws during times of national crisis.
If the court ultimately upholds Boasberg’s order, the ruling could significantly delay or derail Trump’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration, marking a major challenge for his administration’s broader border enforcement agenda.
Leave a Comment