A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has extended a restraining order preventing deportation flights, and the Trump administration from using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan nationals, including alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled Friday that the temporary block will remain in place until at least April 12, giving the court more time to evaluate the legal arguments in the case.
In a separate decision the same day, a federal judge in Boston also halted the deportation of migrants to countries where they have no prior connection, ruling that they must be given the opportunity to challenge their removal in court.
Last week, Judge Boasberg issued the initial temporary restraining order, preventing the Trump administration from enforcing the Alien Enemies Act for immediate deportation flights. In a bench ruling Friday, he went a step further, ordering that any planes carrying deported Venezuelan nationals under the policy be returned to the U.S.
In response, the administration quickly filed an emergency request for a federal appeals court to intervene, seeking to overturn the judge’s decision.