Judge blocks Trump administration from implementing Alien Enemies Act

A federal judge expanded his ruling temporarily blocking the Trump administration from invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on Saturday preventing the removal of Venezuelan undocumented immigrants presumed to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

The order issued by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg will halt deportations for all individuals deemed eligible for removal under President Trump’s proclamation for 14 days as a result of the lawsuit filed by Democracy Forward and the ACLU.

“I think there’s clearly irreparable harm here given these folks will be deported,” Boasberg said at the virtual Saturday hearing.

“A brief delay in their removal does not cause the government any harm,” said Boasberg, an appointee of President Obama.

However, on the call, Boasberg signaled that some of the five Venezuelans who were detained over the weekend were already onboard repatriation flights.

Earlier in the day, the judge blocked the removal of five Venezuelans prior to Trump’s decision to formally invoke the AEA.

“Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States,” Boasberg told Justice Department officials.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

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