President Donald Trump has been handed a new deadline by U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg on Monday in relation to Venezuelan migrants who were deported “without due process.”
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for comment Monday night.
Why It Matters
The recent ruling by Boasberg presses the Trump administration to address accusations of violating due process in the deportation of Venezuelan detainees.
The migrants were removed from the United States in March after Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act—a law historically reserved for wartime scenarios—in an effort his administration said was to target members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
Immigration, executive authority and due process remain deeply divisive issues in U.S. politics, and the case could potentially set broad precedents for how non-citizens are treated under extraordinary executive orders. The decision may also influence ongoing debates over the legality and scope of presidential immigration powers.
What To Know
The State Department had designated the Venezuelan prison gang as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization.” The administration then promptly deported 137 people—described by officials as gang members—to a prison in El Salvador. Boasberg determined they were not provided hearings or a chance to contest their removal.
Legal challenges followed, asserting that the migrants were denied rights guaranteed by U.S. law.
In his order, Boasberg said that “the Court will allow the Government to articulate what steps it proposes to facilitate
the return of Plaintiffs.” The Washington, D.C., chief judge also noted that “The remedy must thus adapt to meet the injury that has occurred. The Court finds that the only remedy that would give effect to its granting of Plaintiffs’ Motion would be to order the Government to undo the effects of their unlawful removal by facilitating a meaningful opportunity to contest their designation and the Proclamation’s validity.”
Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to “submit its proposal either to facilitate the return of Plaintiffs to the United States or to otherwise provide them with hearings that satisfy the requirements of due process” by January 5, the order says.
What People Are Saying
Rob Luther, law professor at George Mason University, on X Monday: “I predict that in 2026, Judge Boasberg will make history as the 16th judge impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives.”
Boasberg, in the order in part: “The Supreme Court has already unanimously agreed that facilitating an individual’s return to the United States is a proper remedy, one that does not upset the Executive Branch’s exclusive authority over foreign affairs.”
What Happens Next
The Trump administration could appeal Boasberg’s order.
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