Federal judge has issued an emergency injunction requiring planes already in the air to turn back, halting the deportation of thousands of Venezuelan nationals.
The decision, handed down by Chief Judge James Boasberg, has sparked outrage among conservatives, with critics calling it an extreme case of judicial overreach.
The Court Order That Stopped Deportations Mid-Air
On Saturday, Judge Boasberg granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the Trump administration from deporting thousands of Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act.
This ruling effectively blocks efforts to remove individuals identified as potential security threats, including members of the Tren de Aragua, a notorious Venezuelan gang known for its involvement in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and violent crime.
Judge Boasberg’s ruling came after left-leaning organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democracy Forward, rushed to federal court to challenge the deportations.
However, the decision took an even more dramatic turn later that same day when Judge Boasberg ordered planes that had already taken off to be turned around and returned to the United States.
“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 stated, according to Politico. “Make sure it’s complied with immediately.”
Government Officials Warn of National Security Risks
The Trump administration has strongly condemned the judge’s ruling, arguing that it interferes with the executive branch’s authority over immigration enforcement and national security.
Government attorney Drew Ensign warned of a “grave national security issue”, indicating that some deportation flights were already en route to Central America when the court order was issued.
According to reports, at least two flights were in the air at the time of the ruling, including one bound for El Salvador. It remains unclear whether both flights were successfully ordered to return before reaching their destinations.
Conservative Legal Experts Decry ‘Judicial Sabotage’
The ruling has been met with fierce criticism from conservatives and legal experts, who argue that activist judges are overstepping their constitutional authority and undermining the ability of the president to enforce immigration laws.
Mike Davis, a former law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and the founder of the Article III Project, strongly condemned the decision.
“An activist Obama DC judge thinks he has the power to order the President to turn around planes deporting vicious Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang members?” Davis wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “When will the Chief Justice and Justice Barrett end this extremely dangerous judicial sabotage of the presidency?”
Davis went further, calling for bold action against what he sees as judicial overreach:
“It’s time to ignore these illegal orders.” “It’s time to impeach these lawless judges.” “It’s time to defund these lawless courts.”