James Boasberg orders Trump to return over 100 Venezuelans deported under Alien Enemies Act

Published February 12, 2026 11:33am ET



A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump must return more than 100 Venezuelans deported to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act last spring.

“The Court will now order the Government to facilitate the return from third countries of those Plaintiffs who so desire,” Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia wrote in court filings. “It will also permit other Plaintiffs to file their habeas supplements from
abroad.”

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