Judge temporarily bars DHS from deporting eight asylum seekers

A federal judge on Thursday temporarily barred the Department of Homeland Security from deporting eight migrant asylum-seekers who claimed they would face severe violence and threats if returned to their countries of origin.

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, issued a 96-hour hold on Thursday, pausing the Trump administration‘s deportations until noon on Monday while attorneys brief him on whether he has the authority to halt the DHS from proceeding with the removals. Lawyers for the Justice Department argued Thursday morning that Moss lacks jurisdiction to intervene in the matter.