United States District Judge James Boasberg expanded his temporary block on US President Donald Trump's administration's ability to deport immigrants after it invoked the Alien Enemies Act against the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA).
After blocking the administration from deporting five individuals challenging Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to speed up their deportation, Boasberg granted a request by the plaintiffs' lawyers, certifying a provisional class covering all non-citizens in US custody subject to the administration's proclamation while the challenge proceeds.
The judge stated that there was "clearly irreparable harm here given these folks will be deported," while "a brief delay in their removal does not cause the government any harm." Boasberg ordered that "any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States." The order will remain in effect for 14 days "or until further order of the court."
