Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court rules TPS determinations largely exempt from judicial review — The US Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision holding that the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Temporary Protected Status (TPS) determinations and processes are generally not subject to judicial review, except for constitutional claims. The ruling affects approximately 1.3 million immigrants, with immediate consequences for over 300,000 Haitian and several thousand Syrian TPS holders who are expected to lose protections and work authorization. Justice Kagan's dissent warned the decision enables arbitrary termination without evaluation of country conditions.

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• Supreme Court approves asylum metering policy at US-Mexico border — The US Supreme Court ruled to approve the "metering" asylum policy at the US-Mexico border, a system previously rescinded that controlled the number of people processed at legal ports of entry. Under metering, US officials turned back asylum seekers before they reached US soil, forcing them to wait indefinitely in dangerous Mexican border towns. The ruling potentially opens the door for re-implementation regardless of the current administration's immigration stance.

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• Federal appeals court temporarily blocks re-detention of Mahmoud Khalil — The Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay blocking the re-detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a 31-year-old Palestinian-American activist and US green card holder, pending supreme court review. Khalil was detained by ICE in March 2025 for 104 days; the government argued his pro-Palestinian activism constituted a threat to US foreign policy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited concerns about antisemitism and Jewish student safety. The temporary block gives Khalil reprieve as his legal team prepares a supreme court petition.

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• Federal judge dismisses criminal indictment against Kilmar Ábrego García, finding presumptive vindictiveness — US District Judge Waverly David Crenshaw Jr. dismissed a criminal indictment against Kilmar Ábrego García on May 23, 2026, finding that the Trump administration would not have prosecuted him had he not challenged his deportation to El Salvador. The judge determined there was sufficient evidence of "presumptive vindictiveness" based on the timing of the indictment, statements by acting attorney general Todd Blanche, and sustained DOJ oversight. Ábrego had been deported to a Salvadoran anti-terrorism prison in March 2025 despite a prior court order, then brought back to the US only after being charged with human smuggling related to a 2022 traffic stop.

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• Federal judge blocks Trump administration policy authorizing arrest and detention of lawful refugees in Minnesota — A federal judge issued an order blocking a Trump administration policy that permitted immigration authorities to arrest and detain refugees in Minnesota who had been lawfully admitted to the US but had not yet obtained permanent resident status. The court ruled the administration's interpretation of federal law was incorrect and that the policy violated constitutional protections. The judge found the approach had "terrorized" refugees by subjecting them to potential indefinite detention despite their lawful status. The injunction bars federal authorities from arresting or detaining refugees in Minnesota solely because they lack permanent resident status after one year in the country.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — U.H.A. et al v. Bondi et al (D. Minn.) 0:26-cv-00417 — The court granted Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, holding that DHS likely lacks statutory authority under 8 U.S.C. § 1159(a) to arrest or detain Minnesota refugees solely because they have not yet adjusted to lawful permanent resident status, and enjoining enforcement of that detention policy against the putative class while denying preliminary relief as to the already-released detained subclass.

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• Federal judge orders release of Venezuelan migrant after seven months of ICE detention — Joswar Torres, a 29-year-old Venezuelan with a pending asylum application and humanitarian parole status, was detained by ICE in June 2025 following a routine DHS check-in in Spokane, Washington. After nearly 2,000 people protested his detention and 30 were arrested, U.S. District Judge James Robart ruled that DHS violated Torres's Fifth Amendment due process rights by failing to consider his individualized circumstances before detaining him. Torres was released after seven months in custody.

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• Supreme Court unanimously ordered government to facilitate Ábrego García's return — The Supreme Court unanimously ordered the federal government to "facilitate" the return of Kilmar Ábrego García to the United States after his wrongful deportation to El Salvador. The administration interpreted "facilitate" narrowly, claiming it only required allowing him entry if he arrived on his own, not requiring the government to seek his release from the torture prison.
• U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered government to return Kilmar Ábrego García from El Salvador — U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the federal government to bring Kilmar Ábrego García back to the United States after the administration had wrongfully deported him to El Salvador's CECOT terrorist prison in March 2025, where he was beaten and tortured. Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national who fled gang threats in 2011 at age 16, had been granted protection from removal by a judge in 2019 despite being denied asylum. The government appealed; the Supreme Court unanimously ordered it to "facilitate" Ábrego García's return.

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• Federal judge issues temporary restraining order blocking ICE from detaining Kilmar Ábrego García — On Friday morning, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials from detaining Kilmar Ábrego García, hours before he was scheduled to appear at an ICE field office in Baltimore. The judge ruled that Ábrego cannot be re-detained until the court conducts a hearing on the motion for the temporary restraining order, citing the merits of his case and the need for orderly administration of justice. Ábrego, who had been released from a Pennsylvania immigration detention facility on Thursday, spoke to supporters after the ruling.
• Judge Xinis barred government from arresting Ábrego García pending hearing — On Friday, December 13, Judge Paula Xinis granted the request of Kilmar Ábrego García's lawyers to bar the government from arresting him again until she hears from both parties.

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• Federal appeals court blocks Trump administration's expanded rapid deportation policy — A federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration cannot expand a border-specific rapid deportation policy to immigrants believed to have lived anywhere in the US for less than two years. The court agreed with a lower-court judge that the expansion would violate due process rights of immigrants. The ruling limits the government's ability to conduct expedited removals beyond the traditional border zone.

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• Federal judge orders release of hundreds detained in Chicago immigration raids — US District Judge Jeffrey Cummings ordered the release of hundreds of people arrested during Trump administration immigration raids in Chicago. The judge directed the Justice Department to produce a list of detainees still in custody by November 19 and set bond at $1,500 for those with no criminal history or prior removal orders. Cummings also prohibited the government from pressuring detainees to agree to voluntary deportation while cases are pending, citing violations of a 2022 consent decree governing warrantless arrests in the Chicago area.
• Federal judge ordered release of 600+ people from ICE detention in Illinois — CNN affiliate WLS reported on November 12 that a federal judge ordered the release of more than 600 people from ICE detention centers who were arrested during Trump's immigration crackdown in Illinois.
• Case update — Castanon Nava v. Department of Homeland Security (N.D. Ill.) 1:18-cv-03757 — District Court Judge Cummings ordered the release of a group of individuals on bond who had been detained as a part of ICE's “Operation Midway Blitz.”

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• Federal judge rules ICE arrest of Chicago daycare worker unlawful; orders bond hearing — On Wednesday, US District Judge Jeremy Daniel ruled that the arrest of Diana Santillana Galeano, a Chicago daycare worker detained by ICE on November 5, was unlawful because she had not received a preliminary bond hearing. The judge acknowledged that mandatory detention without such a hearing violates established case law and ordered the government to provide Galeano a bond hearing by November 18. Galeano was released from ICE detention in Indiana on Wednesday night following the ruling. The arrest had sparked outrage after video showed federal agents dragging her from a daycare center in front of children.

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• Federal judge issues temporary restraining order on riot control weapons in Chicago — On an unspecified date before 13 October, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued a temporary restraining order restricting federal agents from using riot control weapons (tear gas, rubber bullets, etc.) against journalists, protesters, and religious practitioners in Chicago unless there is probable cause that individuals have committed a crime. The order responds to documented use of such weapons against veterans and other demonstrators during ICE protests.
• Federal judge ordered ICE to wear body cameras in Chicago — A federal judge ordered immigration officers to wear body cameras while conducting operations in the Chicago area, saying she was a "little startled" by footage of agents using tear gas and other tactics as part of Trump's immigration crackdown in the city and had concerns about her previous order preventing agents from using certain riot control techniques against journalists and protesters.
• Federal court orders ICE agents in Illinois to wear body cameras during immigration operations — A federal court issued an order on October 17 requiring federal ICE agents operating in Illinois to wear body cameras during immigration enforcement operations. The ruling followed multiple documented incidents in which federal agents deployed pepper balls, smoke grenades, and teargas against protesters and local police outside the Broadview detention center. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker praised the decision, stating that federal agents had "clearly lied" about their conduct and that the body camera requirement was a proper judicial response to unjustified use of chemical agents against protesters.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Chicago Headline Club v. Noem (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-12173 — Judge Ellis issued a modification to her previous Temporary Restraining Order, further enjoining federal agents' use of force in immigration enforcement operations in the Northern District of Illinois. The modification adds a requirement that all such federal agents wear active body cameras while engaged in enforcement activity, unless exempt under CBP, ICE, or DHS policy. The modified TRO came a day after Ellis reportedly expressed during a hearing that she was “startled” by “images in the paper” showing federal agents deploying tear gas against protestors without warning and had “serious concerns that my order is being followed.”
• Federal judge orders ICE to wear body cameras in Chicago area after tear gas violations — US District Judge Sara Ellis ordered federal immigration officers in the Chicago area to wear body cameras after they repeatedly deployed pepper balls, smoke grenades, and tear gas against protesters and local police in apparent violation of her prior ruling banning riot-control techniques without warning. The order follows escalating enforcement actions by ICE and other federal agencies as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign, with documented incidents including tear gas deployed near schoolchildren, an attorney shoved to the ground, and a 19-year-old citizen pinned without clear cause.

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• Appeals court judges stay closure order for Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility — Two Trump-appointed judges on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of Miami District Judge Kathleen Williams's preliminary injunction ordering closure of "Alligator Alcatraz," a 3,000-capacity immigration detention camp in the Florida Everglades. Williams had ruled the facility's hasty construction breached federal environmental laws. The appeals panel found 2-1 that because Florida initially funded construction with state money, no environmental impact study was required. The stay allowed the facility to resume operations and rapidly refill with detainees after a brief shutdown period in late August.
• Appeals court judge stays closure of "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility — Barbara Lagoa, a judge on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, authored a 2-1 majority ruling in September 2025 that stayed (paused) a Miami district judge's order to close "Alligator Alcatraz," a state-run detention camp for undocumented migrants in the Florida Everglades. The ruling reversed the lower court's finding that the DeSantis administration must comply with federal environmental regulations. The facility, criticized for harsh conditions, remains operational. Lagoa's husband, Paul Huck, is a senior attorney at a law firm that has received over $10 million in state contracts from the DeSantis administration, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
• Eleventh Circuit stays federal judge's order to close "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility — A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit voted 2–1 on September 4, 2025, to stay (suspend) a federal district judge's order requiring closure of the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in Florida's Everglades within 60 days. The stay allows construction and operation to continue while Florida's appeal proceeds. The facility, built by Florida at a cost of approximately $250 million and operated on behalf of ICE, has faced criticism for harsh conditions, abuse allegations, denial of due process, and environmental damage.

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• White House and DC agree to scale back police takeover — Following judicial pressure, the Trump administration and DC officials reached an agreement Friday evening to scale back the federal takeover. Under the revised arrangement, Chief Pamela Smith would retain control of the Metropolitan Police Department, with Terry Cole designated as Attorney General Bondi's "designee" for directing specific services. The agreement still permitted the administration to use MPD officers for federal immigration enforcement purposes and in emergencies, contrary to DC's sanctuary city policies.

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• Bondi issues revised directive on MPD services and immigration enforcement — Attorney General Bondi issued a revised two-page order designating Terry Cole as her "designee" for directing DC to provide Metropolitan Police Department services deemed "necessary and appropriate." The order explicitly included assisting federal immigration enforcement, contradicting DC's sanctuary city policies that restrict local police involvement in immigration matters. The directive also authorized use of MPD officers for federal purposes in emergencies.
• White House and DC agree to scale back police takeover — Following judicial pressure, the Trump administration and DC officials reached an agreement Friday evening to scale back the federal takeover. Under the revised arrangement, Chief Pamela Smith would retain control of the Metropolitan Police Department, with Terry Cole designated as Attorney General Bondi's "designee" for directing specific services. The agreement still permitted the administration to use MPD officers for federal immigration enforcement purposes and in emergencies, contrary to DC's sanctuary city policies.

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• Federal court rules Trump's asylum ban proclamation unlawful — US District Judge Randolph Moss ruled that President Trump's proclamation declaring an "invasion" at the US-Mexico border and suspending asylum processing exceeded presidential authority and violated the Immigration and Nationality Act and Constitution. Trump had signed the proclamation on inauguration day, directing officials to "repel, repatriate, or remove" migrants. Moss found the president lacks authority to unilaterally replace Congress's immigration statutes with an alternative system. The Trump administration has 14 days to seek emergency relief from the federal appeals court; if upheld, the ruling would require the Department of Homeland Security to resume processing asylum claims at the southern border.

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• Republicans attempt to pass significant budget bill — Republicans in Congress attempted to advance a budget measure dubbed “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” which aimed to extend Trump’s tax cuts at a projected cost of $4.6 trillion over ten years while raising the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. The bill faced opposition and ultimately failed to advance out of the House Budget Committee.
• House Budget Committee passes bill in late-night session — The House Budget Committee passed a budget bill after a late-night session, with some members who previously voted 'No' changing their votes to 'Present.' The bill is set to face further scrutiny in the Rules Committee.
• Republicans criticized for scheduling votes at odd hours — Several Democratic representatives criticized Republicans for scheduling votes on significant legislation during late-night hours, suggesting a lack of transparency and public engagement in the legislative process.
• House Committee Advances Trump’s Tax Cut Bill — On May 18, 2025, a key House committee passed a tax cut and border security package, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, after reaching an agreement with far-right Republicans who had previously stalled its progress. The bill, which aims to extend tax breaks from Trump's first term and increase spending on border security, faces challenges in the full House due to potential opposition from moderates concerned about cuts to climate incentives and healthcare programs. The bill's passage is crucial for Republicans, who need to unite their party to pass it before the Memorial Day deadline.
• House Budget Committee Passes Controversial Bill — The House Budget Committee passed a bill referred to as the “Big, Beautiful Bill” on a party-line vote, with 17 Republicans in favor and 16 Democrats against. The bill includes cuts to Medicaid and extends tax cuts for the wealthy, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates will significantly increase the federal deficit. House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated minor modifications would be made, while critics argue the bill is being rushed through Congress without adequate scrutiny.
• House Republicans schedule procedural vote on Trump's bill — House Republicans have scheduled a procedural vote for 1am on Wednesday to advance President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which aims to enact his taxation and immigration priorities. The bill includes making permanent or extending tax cuts, ending taxation of tips and overtime, funding a border wall, and mass deportations. It proposes slashing federal safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP to offset costs, which has caused division among Republicans. The bill's passage is crucial for Trump, but it faces opposition from some lawmakers concerned about its impact on Medicaid and the SALT deduction.
• House Rules Committee to Consider Omnibus Bill — The House Rules Committee is scheduled to meet on May 21, 2025, to discuss a 1,116-page omnibus bill proposed by Republicans that aims to implement significant parts of former President Trump's agenda, including cuts to Medicaid and increased logging on public lands. The bill is being advanced through a budget reconciliation process, which allows it to pass with only Republican votes in the Senate. However, there is notable division among Republicans regarding the proposed Medicaid cuts, which are unpopular among constituents.
• House passes Budget Reconciliation Bill — The House of Representatives passed the Budget Reconciliation Bill by a narrow margin of 215-214, with two Republicans voting against it and one voting present. The bill's passage is significant as it will now move to the Senate, where Republican opposition is anticipated.
• Congressional Republicans pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — Congressional Republicans narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with a 215-214 vote. The bill aims to permanently extend tax cuts from Trump's first term and introduce new deductions for working-class families, but these benefits will expire in 2028. The bill also includes cuts to social safety net programs, potentially affecting millions of poor and disabled Americans. The legislation is expected to add $3.4 trillion to the deficit by 2034. It now moves to the US Senate for further consideration under the budget reconciliation procedure, which limits Democratic influence.
• House Passes Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act — The House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" act, which enacts President Donald Trump's taxation and spending priorities. The bill includes making permanent the tax cuts from Trump's first term, increasing the standard deduction, and introducing new tax write-offs. It also allocates significant funds for mass deportations and border wall construction, imposes new fees on immigrants seeking asylum, and restricts federal courts from enforcing certain contempt citations. Additionally, it cuts funding for Medicaid and SNAP, phases out green energy incentives, and raises the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate.
• House Passes Trump's Tax Bill — On May 22, 2025, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a tax bill championed by Donald Trump, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This legislation aims to make permanent the tax cuts established in 2017, which primarily benefit wealthy Americans and corporations. The bill also includes cuts to government assistance programs like Medicaid and SNAP, and ends clean energy tax credits. The bill is expected to cost the federal government $4.6 trillion in lost revenue over the next decade, while saving $1 trillion through reduced spending on assistance programs.
• House passes Trump's tax-and-spend bill — On May 22, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a tax-and-spend bill, which extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts and makes significant spending reductions, particularly in Medicaid and food assistance programs. The bill passed without any Democratic support and has been criticized for potentially increasing the national debt by $2.4 trillion over the next decade. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis indicates that the bill would leave 10.9 million more Americans uninsured by 2034. The bill now moves to the Senate, where modifications are expected.
• House passes Trump’s sweeping tax-cut bill — The House of Representatives passed a major tax-cut bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which aligns with Donald Trump's tax and spending priorities. The bill, passed by a narrow margin of 215-214, includes provisions for tax cuts for individuals and corporations, funding for a border wall, and new work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP. It is expected to add $2.3 trillion to the deficit. The bill now moves to the Senate, where Republicans aim to pass it by July 4th.
• House Committee Advances Bill with Steeper Medicaid Cuts — After extensive debate, the House Rules Committee agreed to advance The One Big, Beautiful Bill, which includes steeper cuts to Medicaid to gain support from far-right Republicans. These cuts are expected to leave at least 9 million people without healthcare coverage, reflecting a significant shift in healthcare policy.
• House of Representatives passes Republicans' megabill — The House of Representatives passed a significant bill by a vote of 215 to 214, with all Democrats and two Republicans voting against it. The bill includes substantial cuts to healthcare and nutrition assistance, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that it will result in over 2.7 million households losing benefits. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
• House Rules Committee Begins Hearing on The One Big, Beautiful Bill — The House Rules Committee commenced a hearing on a budget bill dubbed The One Big, Beautiful Bill, which includes significant restrictions on federal courts' authority to hold government officials in contempt for violating court orders. This bill also proposes a $3.8 trillion extension of tax cuts from 2017, primarily benefiting the wealthy and corporations, while cutting federal healthcare and food assistance programs, potentially leaving millions without coverage. The committee moved the bill forward after 22 hours of debate, aiming for a swift vote in the House.
• House Republicans Pass Bill Cutting Medicaid and Medicare — In a late-night session, House Republicans passed a bill that could remove 8 million people from Medicaid, cut Medicare spending, and add $4 trillion to the national debt. The bill also includes tax cuts for the wealthy and funds for the border wall.
• Congressional Budget Office Reports on Impact of Proposed Bill — The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the proposed budget bill will add $2.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next ten years and will trigger cuts to Medicare due to the Pay-As-You-Go law. These cuts, limited by law to 4%, are expected to total approximately $490 billion from 2027 through 2034. The CBO's findings highlight the bill's potential negative impact on low-income Americans and the healthcare system.
• Proposed Cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — The proposed budget bill includes cuts of about 30% to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would be the largest cut in the program's history. This reduction is projected to cut approximately $300 billion from the program through 2034, affecting over 40 million people, including children and seniors.
• House passes Trump’s budget bill with significant cuts — The House of Representatives passed a budget bill that extends tax cuts for individuals and corporations while implementing funding cuts and new work requirements for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These changes are expected to bar millions from receiving essential benefits, raising concerns among affected workers and advocates. The bill also includes funding for a border wall and facilities for mass deportations.

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court blocks deportations under Alien Enemies Act; federal judges escalate enforcement against Trump administration defiance — The US Supreme Court issued a temporary order early Saturday blocking the federal government from removing detainees held in northern Texas under the Alien Enemies Act, after lawyers reported detainees received English-only notices with no information on how to challenge deportation. Separately, US District Judge James Boasberg found probable cause to hold the government in contempt for defying orders to halt deportations, and Judge Paula Xinis ordered daily compliance updates after the administration ignored orders to facilitate the return of wrongly deported Kilmar Ábrego García to the United States. The rulings underscore an escalating constitutional conflict over judicial enforcement power.
• Case update — D.B.U. v. Trump (D. Colo.) 1:25-cv-01163 — Petitioners filed a reply in support of their motion for an emergency TRO and requested the Court maintain the TRO due to the government's transfer of detainees under the AEA with less than 24 hours notice.
• Amy Klobuchar calls on Supreme Court to hold Trump officials in contempt for ignoring deportation order — Senator Amy Klobuchar called on the U.S. Supreme Court to hold Trump administration officials in contempt for allegedly ignoring a court order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Maryland resident the government admitted it deported by mistake to El Salvador. Klobuchar suggested the Court appoint an independent special prosecutor outside the Department of Justice to enforce the rule of law. Her comments followed Justice Samuel Alito's dissent criticizing the Court's decision to block deportations of Venezuelans held in Texas.

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court orders temporary halt to deportations of Venezuelan men under Alien Enemies Act — The US Supreme Court issued an emergency order early Saturday directing the Trump administration to temporarily halt deportations of Venezuelan men held in ICE custody, particularly at the Bluebonnet detention center in Texas. The ACLU had filed an emergency motion Friday arguing that dozens of detainees classified as Tren de Aragua gang members faced imminent removal without judicial review previously mandated by the Court. The order requires the government to cease removals pending further court direction. Justices Thomas and Alito dissented.
• Supreme Court blocks deportations under Alien Enemies Act; Alito and Thomas dissent — Early Saturday morning, April 19, the Supreme Court issued an emergency order blocking the Trump administration from deporting a group of undocumented Venezuelans under the authority of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The men had already been loaded onto buses heading to an airplane when the Court intervened. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented. The Court issued its decision without waiting for the dissenters to finish writing, signaling urgency and lack of confidence in the government's legal compliance.
• Case update — W.M.M. v. Trump (a.k.a. A.A.R.P. v. Trump) (N.D. Tex.) 1:25-cv-00059 — The Supreme Court issued a stay writing, “The Government is directed not to remove any member of the putative class of detainees from the United States until further order of this Court.” Justice Alito and Thomas dissented.
• SCOTUS stays removal of detainees in A.A.R.P. v. Trump pending Fifth Circuit action — The Supreme Court issued an order in the pending case A.A.R.P. et al. v. Trump (Docket 24A1007), in which a putative class of detainees sought an injunction against removal under the Alien Enemies Act. The Court directed the Government not to remove any member of the putative class from the United States pending further order, invited the Solicitor General to file a response after Fifth Circuit action, and noted that Justices Thomas and Alito dissented from the order.

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• Immigration judge sets deadline for Trump administration to justify Mahmoud Khalil's deportation — Immigration Judge Jamee Comans ruled that the Trump administration must present evidence by 5pm Wednesday justifying the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate who holds a green card. Khalil was detained on March 8. The government claims his presence has adverse foreign policy consequences but has provided no evidence he broke the law. Judge Comans stated she may rule Friday on his release if the evidence does not support deportation. The case raises free speech concerns, as Khalil's legal team argues the deportation is retaliatory for his pro-Palestinian activism.
• Immigration judge ordered DHS to provide evidence for Khalil deportation — An immigration judge told DHS to turn over "sufficient evidence" to justify deporting Mahmoud Khalil by Wednesday, or she would terminate the case and order his release.
• Rubio offered no evidence of criminal activity for Khalil deportation — In a court filing, Rubio offered no evidence that Khalil engaged in criminal activity. Instead, the government is seeking to deport him over his "beliefs" alone.
• Immigration judge rules Palestinian organizer Mahmoud Khalil eligible for deportation based on Secretary of State memo regarding his political views — An immigration judge in Louisiana ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and Palestinian organizer, is eligible for deportation. The ruling accepted a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Khalil's "beliefs, statements or associations" are counter to U.S. foreign policy interests as sufficient evidence for removal of a lawful permanent resident. The judge determined she had no authority to rule on free speech concerns. Khalil, arrested by ICE in March, has been detained in Louisiana for over a month. His legal team plans to appeal and pursue an asylum case.

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• Judge Xinis orders government to return Abrego Garcia by April 7 — On April 4, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 7. In her April 6 opinion, Judge Xinis found that there were "no legal grounds whatsoever for his arrest, detention, or removal" and that his detention "appears wholly lawless" and constitutes "a clear constitutional violation." She rejected the government's claim that it lacks jurisdiction to order his return, writing that the administration cannot "forcibly remove any person—migrant and U.S. citizen alike—to prisons outside the United States, and then baldly assert they have no way to effectuate return."
• U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis ordered government to return deported legal resident from El Salvador — U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to bring back to the United States no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 7 a legal resident, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom the government mistakenly sent to a notorious prison for terrorists in El Salvador. The government had claimed the deportation was an "administrative error" but argued it could not bring him back because he was outside the reach of American laws. Judge Xinis found that Abrego Garcia, who was in the U.S. legally and was not charged with any crimes, was arrested "without legal basis" and deported "without justification of legal basis," calling it "an illegal act."
• Case update — Abrego Garcia v. Noem (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-00951 — Defendants filed their opposition to Plaintiffs' emergency motion for a TRO. The Defendants state it was an “administrative error” to have removed Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, but oppose the relief that Plaintiffs request.

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• Yunseo Chung files lawsuit against Trump administration over green card revocation — Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Columbia University student and green card holder from South Korea, filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump and high-ranking administration officials on March 24 challenging the revocation of her green card and the targeting of her for deportation. The lawsuit alleges that ICE used immigration enforcement as a tool to suppress her political speech and that of other students engaged in pro-Palestinian activism, in violation of her First Amendment rights and due process protections.
• Yunseo Chung filed lawsuit after immigration arrest attempt — Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Columbia University student who has lived in the US since age 7, filed a lawsuit against Trump and other administration officials after immigration agents attempted to arrest and deport her for apparently participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. A federal judge later temporarily blocked the Trump administration from detaining Chung.
• State Department orders revocation of green card for Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil — Immigration officials arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and leader of pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, acting on an order from the State Department to revoke his green card. Khalil remains in custody in Louisiana. Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly stated the government would "kick out" green card holders who participate in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, signaling a coordinated policy to strip legal status from protesters based on their political speech.
• Trump administration initiates deportation proceedings against Columbia student protester Yunseo Chung — Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old permanent resident who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, filed a lawsuit on March 24, 2025, against the Trump administration after immigration authorities began deportation efforts against her. Three days after her arrest by New York police during campus demonstrations, ICE signed an administrative arrest warrant. The lawsuit names Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other officials, alleging the government is retaliating against her for constitutionally protected protest activity and seeking to revoke her permanent resident status without justification.
• Yunseo Chung, green card holder, sues after ICE attempts arrest and revokes green card — Yunseo Chung, a green card holder who has lived in the United States since age seven and attended pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, sued the Trump administration on Monday, March 24, 2025, after immigration officials attempted to arrest her. ICE officials informed her lawyer that her green card had been revoked. The case exemplifies the administration's targeting of noncitizen students engaged in political protest and speech critical of Israel's military actions in Gaza.
• Federal judge blocks detention of Columbia protester facing deportation — U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald issued a temporary restraining order preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement from detaining or transferring Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old green card holder and Columbia University student, out of New York's southern district. Chung, arrested during a Gaza solidarity protest at Barnard College, sued the Trump administration alleging it is using immigration enforcement to suppress her protected speech. The judge found the government had not presented sufficient factual basis for its deportation claims against the legal permanent resident, who has lived in the U.S. since age seven.
• Federal judge halts deportation proceedings against Columbia student Yunseo Chung — Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Columbia University student and green card holder, sued the Trump administration after ICE revoked her green card and sought her arrest following her attendance at a pro-Palestinian sit-in protest at Barnard College on March 9. ICE obtained a warrant citing a law against "harboring noncitizens" and accused her of posing a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests. On March 25, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order halting arrest and deportation efforts, finding no evidence she posed a danger to the community.
• Federal judge blocks ICE detention of Columbia undergraduate Yunseo Chung — A US judge in Manhattan issued an order blocking immigration officials from detaining Yunseo Chung, a Columbia University undergraduate and permanent resident (green card holder), who faced deportation threats for involvement in Gaza solidarity protests. The judicial intervention prevented the detention from proceeding.
• Federal judge blocks deportation of Tufts student detained by ICE; visa revocation challenged — Rümeysa Öztürk, a 30-year-old Fulbright scholar and doctoral student at Tufts University, was detained by masked plainclothes ICE officers on Tuesday in a Boston suburb. The Department of Homeland Security terminated her visa, alleging support for Hamas without evidence. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Denise Casper issued an order prohibiting Öztürk's removal from the United States pending further court proceedings. Her attorneys, including ACLU lawyers, argue the detention is retaliation for an opinion piece she co-authored advocating Palestinian rights and university divestment from Israel-linked companies.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge compared Alien Enemies Act treatment to Nazi practices — During a court hearing, a federal appeals judge told a Department of Justice lawyer that "Nazis got better treatment under the Alien Enemies Act" than those sent to El Salvador by the Trump administration. The comparison reflects judicial concern about the severity of the administration's deportation practices.
• Federal judge temporarily banned trans military ban enforcement — A federal judge temporarily banned the enforcement of Trump's executive order barring trans people from the US military. The temporary block prevents implementation of the ban pending further litigation.
• Federal appeals court ruled on refugee admissions suspension — A federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration can halt the approval of new refugees in the US but it must admit those who were conditionally accepted before the president suspended the country's refugee admissions system. The ruling partially upheld the suspension while protecting previously approved refugees.
• Federal appeals court upholds block on Alien Enemies Act deportations to El Salvador — A split three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a March 15 order by District Judge James Boasberg temporarily prohibiting deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The Trump administration had deported hundreds of people under a presidential proclamation designating the Tren de Aragua gang as an invading force. Boasberg had blocked further deportations and ordered planeloads of Venezuelan immigrants returned to the US, which the government did not comply with.
• Ninth Circuit refuses to pause reinstatement order for 17,000 fired federal workers — The Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals refused to pause a judge's earlier ruling requiring the Trump administration to reinstate more than 17,000 probationary employees fired from six federal agencies (Defense, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Energy, Interior, and Treasury). A district judge had ruled on March 13 that the Office of Personnel Management improperly ordered the firings despite lacking authority to do so. The Trump administration had appealed the reinstatement order.
• US District Judge Ana Reyes blocks Trump transgender military ban implementation — US District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington DC rejected the Trump administration's attempt to lift a court order preventing a ban on transgender military service scheduled to take effect Friday. Reyes criticized the proposed implementation plan requiring all 1.3 million military personnel to self-report annually on gender dysphoria, characterizing it as "rummaging through private medical records." The judge maintained the existing court order blocking the ban.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration filed to dissolve injunctions in deportation case — The Trump administration filed a late-night 35-page motion on Monday to dissolve the injunctions and dismiss the case related to the use of the Alien Enemies Act for deporting Venezuelan nationals. The administration is challenging two injunctions: one preventing the deportation of five Venezuelans and another expanding the order to cover all removals under the Act. The administration argues that the deportation flights were outside the judge's jurisdiction once they left U.S. airspace.
• Trump administration sought removal of Judge Boasberg — The Trump administration sent a letter to an appeals court calling for Judge Boasberg to be removed from hearing the deportation case associated with the Alien Enemies Act, escalating efforts to disqualify the judge.
• DOJ argued judge's order was not enforceable — In a court filing, the Department of Justice argued that Judge Boasberg's verbal order was "not enforceable as an injunction," challenging the judge's authority to issue the restraining order blocking Alien Enemies Act deportations.

Supporting reports

• Judge blocks Trump from using Alien Enemies Act for deportations — A federal judge, James Boasberg, issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport five Venezuelan nationals. The administration had invoked the act, claiming the Venezuelans were part of the Tren de Aragua gang, designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The judge's decision came in response to a lawsuit by the ACLU and Democracy Forward, arguing the act was unlawfully invoked during peacetime. The restraining order prevents deportations for 14 days, maintaining the status quo until a hearing is set.
• U.S. District Judge blocks deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members — U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued an order temporarily blocking the Trump administration's deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members. The ruling was based on the lack of hearings for the individuals to present evidence against their alleged gang affiliation. The administration had invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify the deportations without due process.
• Judge Boasberg issued temporary restraining order blocking Alien Enemies Act deportations — US District Judge James Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants and ordered planes carrying migrants out of the country to immediately turn around. The administration defied the order, with three planes landing in El Salvador and more than 135 migrants deported.
• Judge halts deportation under Alien Enemies Act — A federal judge, James Boasberg, issued an immediate halt to the deportation of five Venezuelan nationals, blocking the Trump administration's attempt to use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The administration had invoked this wartime law, claiming the Venezuelans were part of a gang conducting hostile actions against the U.S. The judge's order required any planes already in the air to be turned around. This decision came in response to a lawsuit by civil liberties organizations arguing the act's misuse during peacetime.