Overview

• President Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport 137 Venezuelan migrants, claiming they were members of the Tren de Aragua gang.
• Two deportation flights proceeded despite U.S. District Judge James Boasberg's verbal order to halt them, raising questions about compliance with judicial authority.
• Judge Boasberg has ordered the administration to explain its actions and whether they violated his restraining order, with potential contempt proceedings looming.
• Critics, including legal experts and Chief Justice John Roberts, have questioned the constitutionality of invoking the Alien Enemies Act in peacetime and rebuked calls for Boasberg's impeachment.
• The Trump administration asserts it will abide by court orders while continuing deportations under other legal authorities, as the case heads toward possible Supreme Court review.