In a dramatic twist, a Texas federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, citing the need for due process under U.S. law. The ruling, handed down on Wednesday, pauses deportations for two weeks, a decision that comes in the wake of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
The court’s intervention stems from a class action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which argues that individuals targeted under Trump’s proclamation, which labels gang members as “enemies of the state,” are entitled to judicial review before facing deportation. The suit specifically focuses on three Venezuelan men, identified as J.A.V., J.G.G., and W.G.H., who are at risk of being sent back to Venezuela without the opportunity to challenge their removal.
Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Legal Firestorm
Just days before Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr.’s ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court set the stage for this dramatic pause by clarifying that individuals under Trump’s proclamation must be given notice and due process, including the ability to seek habeas relief in federal court. The ACLU’s new suit, filed Wednesday, demands that the government clarify how it plans to meet this requirement and what kind of notice will be given to the deportees.
“This ruling preserves the status quo and prevents the irreparable harm that could occur if these individuals were deported without their day in court,” said ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt. “The court has recognized the fundamental need for judicial review in these cases.”
