Overview
- U.S. District Judge James Boasberg found the removals violated due process and certified a class covering 137 Venezuelans.
- He directed the government to file a plan by January 5, 2026 that either facilitates their return or provides meaningful hearings to contest removal and gang designations.
- The administration invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport the men as alleged members of Tren de Aragua.
- An appeals court has paused a contempt inquiry into March flights that proceeded after Boasberg’s verbal order to turn back, and the government denies any violation.
- More than 200 detainees were later sent back to Venezuela in a prisoner exchange as reporting questioned the evidence and a 60 Minutes CECOT segment reportedly did not air in the U.S.