US federal judge halts Trump’s deportation of Venezuelans using wartime law

A federal judge has ordered an immediate halt to President Donald Trump’s efforts to swiftly deport Venezuelan nationals under a rarely used wartime law, also demanding that deportation flights already en route to Central America be returned to the United States.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued the emergency order on Saturday, temporarily blocking Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law invoked to justify the deportations, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of five Venezuelan migrants, was provisionally expanded into a class action, effectively pausing the removal of all non-citizens in U.S. custody affected by Trump’s proclamation.

“Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States however that is accomplished,” Boasberg declared. “Make sure it’s complied with immediately.”

Two aircraft believed to be carrying Venezuelan deportees departed from Harlingen, Texas, during a break in the video hearing for the lawsuit. According to flight tracking databases, one was bound for San Salvador, El Salvador, and the other for Comayagua, Honduras. They were in the air nearing their destinations when Boasberg’s order was issued.

The judge expressed concerns over Trump’s legal justification for invoking the Alien Enemies Act—historically used only three times—by equating the criminal gang Tren de Aragua with a foreign government.

Boasberg’s temporary restraining order will remain in effect for 14 days, giving the court time to assess the legality of the deportation order. A further hearing on the case’s merits is set for late next week.

By Khagan Isayev