Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration orders mass layoffs at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — The Trump administration, through staff from Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency," issued reduction-in-force letters terminating approximately 1,500 of the CFPB's 1,700 employees on April 17. The layoffs eliminated entire divisions including the office of servicemember affairs, office of older Americans, and office of fair lending. According to an employee declaration, the effort was managed by Gavin Kliger and staff were kept working 36 hours straight to ensure notices went out. Employees raised concerns about violations of court orders requiring "particularized assessment," but were told "all that mattered was the numbers."
• Federal judge bars Trump administration from rapid deportation policy — Federal Judge Brian Murphy on Friday barred the Trump administration from implementing a new policy that would allow it to rapidly deport hundreds or thousands of immigrants to countries other than their own without giving them an opportunity to demonstrate they face persecution, torture, or death. The ruling blocks a policy that would circumvent due process protections for asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants.
• Federal judge blocks mass layoffs at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration's termination of approximately 1,500 of the CFPB's 1,700 employees, announced on Thursday via reduction-in-force letters. The layoffs, orchestrated by staff from Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency," eliminated entire divisions including servicemember affairs, older Americans, and fair lending offices. The judge's order came after a federal appeals court had modified (but not eliminated) an earlier injunction limiting the agency's ability to terminate staff. The administration's compliance with the ruling remains unclear.

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• Immigration judge denies bail to Turkish PhD student detained for op-ed on Gaza — Rümeysa Öztürk, a Turkish PhD student at Tufts University and former Fulbright scholar, was detained by ICE agents on 25 March after co-authoring a campus newspaper op-ed about Gaza. An immigration judge denied her bond on 16 April, ruling her both a "flight risk" and "danger to the community," despite DHS only arguing flight risk. Her visa was revoked based solely on a one-paragraph State Department memorandum citing the op-ed's association with an organization temporarily banned from campus. She faces deportation without being charged with any crime.

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• Federal judge finds probable cause for contempt charges against Trump officials over Alien Enemies Act deportations — Chief US District Judge James Boasberg issued a 46-page opinion finding probable cause to hold Trump administration officials in criminal contempt for violating his temporary injunction blocking deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. The administration failed to recall deportation flights that had already departed, claiming the verbal order was not binding and that planes outside US airspace were beyond judicial jurisdiction. Boasberg rejected these defenses, warned of appointing an independent prosecutor if the White House stonewalled contempt proceedings, and ordered officials to either return the deported individuals or face contempt charges.
• Federal judge finds Trump administration in criminal contempt for defying court order — U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued an opinion finding that the Trump administration's "hurried removal" of men to El Salvador after Boasberg had issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) prohibiting such removal demonstrated "a wilful disregard for its Order, sufficient for the Court to conclude that probable cause exists to find the Government in criminal contempt." Boasberg quoted Chief Justice John Marshall, stating the Constitution does not tolerate willful disobedience of judicial orders by coordinate branches. Boasberg indicated he will use declarations, hearings, or depositions to identify responsible individuals, and if the government refuses to prosecute, he will appoint a private prosecutor.
• Appeal filed — J.G.G. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00766 — Judge Boasberg issued an order holding that there's probable cause to find the Defendants acted with criminal contempt in violating his orders. He offered the government to stave off a criminal referral by “purging” the contempt. He wrote, “The most obvious way for Defendants to do so here is by asserting custody of the individuals who were removed in violation of the Court's classwide TRO so that they might avail themselves of their right to challenge their removability through a habeas proceeding.” The defendants appealed his decision to the D.C.Circuit. On the same day, the Plaintiffs submitted a new motion for a TRO asking the court to direct the government to provide 30 days' notice before seeking to remove any class member under the AEA. The Plaintiffs also stated that they intend to amend their complaint “to reinstate their habeas claim on behalf of class members detained in CECOT and to seek the return of these Plaintiffs to the United States.”
• Judge Issues Contempt Ruling Against Trump Administration — U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled that the Trump administration's removal of detainees to El Salvador, despite a temporary restraining order, demonstrated willful disregard for judicial authority. The judge indicated that if the government does not rectify its contempt, he would pursue prosecution against those responsible for ignoring the court's order.
• Judge Boasberg issues 46-page opinion finding probable cause of criminal contempt — U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued a scathing 46-page opinion finding probable cause that Trump administration officials acted in criminal contempt of his order to recall deportation flights containing alleged Venezuelan gang members. The opinion represents a judicial escalation in response to the administration's apparent willingness to violate court orders and test the limits of the legal system.
• Case update — J.G.G. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00766 — The D.C. Circuit, in a 2-1 decision, issued an administrative stay in the appeal from Judge Boasberg's April 16 contempt-related order.

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• White House encourages Republican lawmakers to use Abrego Garcia as propaganda — The White House "heavily encouraged" Republican lawmakers to characterize Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a constituent with no criminal record—as an example of dangerous criminals Democrats want to bring to the U.S. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed without evidence that Abrego Garcia engaged in human trafficking. At least a dozen Republicans followed the president's lead in promoting this narrative.

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• House Democrat requested inspector general investigations into DOGE data exfiltration and cover-up — On April 15, Representative Gerald Connolly, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, requested that the acting inspector general at the Department of Labor and the inspector general at the NLRB investigate "any and all attempts to exfiltrate data and any attempts to cover up their activities." Two days later, on April 17, Connolly made a similar request to the acting inspector general for the Social Security Administration, expressing concern that DOGE was moving personal information across agencies without Privacy Act notification.
• House Oversight Committee ranking member demands SSA reverse EBE freeze and launches investigation — Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA), ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter to Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek on April 15 demanding reversal of the EBE freeze, characterizing it as "potentially illegal" and part of a "loosely coordinated attack on immigrants led by the Trump Administration and the Department of Government Efficiency." Connolly cited the internal SSA memo documenting legal risks, operational damage, and cost increases. He also issued a document request for all communications related to the freeze, with a deadline of April 30, 2025.

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• Federal judge rebukes Trump administration for defying Supreme Court order to return wrongly deported man — US District Judge Paula Xinis sharply rebuked Trump administration officials on Tuesday for taking no steps to secure the return of Kilmar Ábrego García, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador despite a Supreme Court order to "facilitate" his return. The judge rejected the administration's narrow reading of the order and its claim of powerlessness. She ordered the administration to produce details under oath within two weeks about its efforts to return Ábrego García, and authorized depositions of up to six officials including ICE and DHS leadership.
• Federal judge launched two-week inquiry into Trump administration's refusal to return Abrego Garcia — A federal judge launched a two-week inquiry into the Trump administration's refusal to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia to the US, saying "nothing has been done" to do so. The inquiry represents judicial investigation into potential contempt of court.
• Judge Boasberg issues 46-page opinion finding probable cause of criminal contempt — U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued a scathing 46-page opinion finding probable cause that Trump administration officials acted in criminal contempt of his order to recall deportation flights containing alleged Venezuelan gang members. The opinion represents a judicial escalation in response to the administration's apparent willingness to violate court orders and test the limits of the legal system.
• Judge Xinis opens investigation and rebukes administration for non-compliance — U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis rebuked the Trump administration for doing "nothing" to secure the release of Kilmar Ábrego García as ordered by the Supreme Court. Xinis ordered the administration to answer written questions and provide depositions about steps taken to comply with the Supreme Court order, opening a formal investigation into potential deliberate flouting of the decree.

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• Republican House delegation tours CECOT prison with photographs — House Ways and Means Committee chair Jason Smith (R-MO) led a delegation of six Republican House members—Ron Estes (KS), Kevin Hern (OK), Mike Kennedy (UT), Carol Miller (WV), Riley Moore (WV), and Claudia Tenney (NY)—to tour the CECOT prison in El Salvador. At least some representatives had photographs taken standing in front of caged men. U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador William Duncan posted on social media that the delegation was visiting to "strengthen bilateral ties and discuss initiatives that promote economic development and mutual cooperation."

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• Trump administration plotting with El Salvador president to detain people in foreign concentration camps without due process — At a White House meeting, the Attorney General, Vice President, and Secretary of State responded with apparent amusement to Trump's plan to coordinate with El Salvador's president to send detainees—including American citizens—to concentration camps abroad without due process. The President was simultaneously defying a unanimous Supreme Court order on the matter. Timothy Snyder characterized the development as "the beginning of an American policy of state terror."

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• ICE detention of Mohsen Mahdawi, Palestinian green-card holder and Columbia student — Mohsen Mahdawi, a lawful permanent resident and Columbia University student, was arrested by ICE agents on Monday morning in Colchester, Vermont, while attending a naturalization interview. His attorneys argue the detention violates his First Amendment rights and constitutes retaliation for his pro-Palestinian activism and speech. Mahdawi's lawyers filed a habeas petition and sought a temporary restraining order to prevent his removal from the jurisdiction or country. DHS has not confirmed his whereabouts or responded to requests for comment.
• Judge orders bail hearing for detained Palestinian student Mohsen Mahdawi — Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian green-card holder and Columbia University student, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on April 14 while attending a naturalization interview in Vermont. The Trump administration is seeking to deport him, claiming his pro-Palestinian activism could "potentially undermine" Middle East peace efforts. On April 23, a federal judge extended a temporary restraining order keeping Mahdawi in Vermont and scheduled a bail hearing for the following week, rejecting ICE's apparent plan to transfer him to a detention center in Louisiana.
• Mohsen Mahdawi released from ICE detention and graduates from Columbia University — Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi, arrested by ICE in Vermont on 14 April while attending a naturalization interview, was detained and ordered deported by the Trump administration without being charged with a crime. A federal judge released him two weeks later, likening the government's actions to McCarthyist repression. Mahdawi graduated from Columbia University on Monday to a standing ovation. He remains in legal limbo as the administration attempts to deport him using a statute allowing the secretary of state to revoke legal status based on perceived threats to foreign policy.
• Palestinian student Mohsen Mahdawi arrested by ICE at citizenship interview — Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student and green card holder who led demonstrations at Columbia University, was arrested by ICE agents when he went to a citizenship interview. Later that day, a federal judge temporarily blocked Mahdawi from being deported or removed from Vermont while his lawyers challenge the legality of his deportation.

Supporting reports

• Cardinal Prevost reposted criticism of Trump and Bukele's deportation of U.S. resident — On April 14, 2025, Cardinal Robert Prevost reposted a statement by Bishop Evelio Menjivar criticizing President Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele for laughing at the federal deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a U.S. resident and formerly undocumented Salvadoran. Menjivar's statement asked: "Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?" Prevost's repost amplified institutional Catholic criticism of the administration's deportation practices and their treatment as a matter of mockery.

Supporting reports

• Judge Paula Xinis scheduled hearing in Abrego Garcia case — U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis set the next hearing in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case for April 15, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., following her April 6 ruling that Abrego Garcia's detention and removal were wholly lawless and constituted a clear constitutional violation.
• U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis held hearing on Kilmar Abrego Garcia case and found no compliance with court order — U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis held a hearing in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man the Trump administration deported to El Salvador's CECOT prison despite a court order to facilitate his return. Judge Xinis stated that "what the record shows is nothing has been done" to comply with her orders. She dismissed the administration's argument that a meeting between President Trump and El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele constituted effort to facilitate Garcia's return. The judge ordered two weeks of fact-finding to determine if the administration is following her orders, permitting Garcia's lawyers to conduct depositions, document requests, and interrogatories.
• Judge Xinis Orders Fact Finding in Abrego Garcia Case — U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis held a hearing regarding the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador. The judge ordered a two-week fact-finding period to determine if the Trump administration is in contempt of court for failing to facilitate Garcia's return to the U.S. She dismissed the administration's claims that a recent meeting between President Trump and El Salvador's president was part of the effort to comply with the court's orders. The judge emphasized the ongoing harm caused by Garcia's detention.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge blocked revocation of legal status for 500,000 migrants under Biden parole program — A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from revoking the legal status and work permits of over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who entered the US under a Biden-era parole program. The order protects the status of individuals who entered under prior legal authorization.
• Federal court temporarily blocks Trump administration termination of migrant legal status program — A federal district court judge in Boston issued a temporary injunction preventing the Trump administration from terminating a Biden-era program that granted legal status to approximately 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The program was set to expire on April 24, 2025. Judge Indira Talwani ruled that abrupt termination would force migrants to choose between leaving the country or facing removal proceedings, finding the administration's action legally problematic. The ruling represents a temporary setback for the administration's broader effort to roll back immigration protections.

Supporting reports

• Attorney General Bondi refused to commit to returning mistakenly deported U.S. citizen — When asked by CNN's Kaitlan Collins whether the administration planned to request El Salvador return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a U.S. citizen mistakenly deported, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated: "That's up to El Salvador if they want to return him. That's not up to us." This contradicted the Supreme Court's order requiring the government to facilitate his release.
• Trump hosted El Salvador President Bukele; Attorney General Bondi said return decision is up to El Salvador — Trump hosted El Salvador President Nayib Bukele for a White House visit. During an Oval Office meeting, Attorney General Pam Bondi said that it was up to El Salvador to decide if it wanted to return Abrego Garcia to the US. Shortly after, Bukele claimed that he does not have the power to do so, contradicting Bondi's statement.

Supporting reports

• Social Security Administration executive physically dragged from office by DOGE staff — Greg Pearre, a senior executive at the Social Security Administration in charge of an IT team working on the agency's data systems, was physically dragged from his office this week after a dispute with DOGE staff. Pearre had objected to DOGE's effort to cut off immigrants from being able to access bank accounts or credit cards.

Supporting reports

• Trump authorizes military control of federal land at US-Mexico border — President Trump issued a memorandum on Friday authorizing the US military to take direct control of federal lands at the US-Mexico border, including the Roosevelt Reservation (a 60-foot strip spanning California, Arizona, and New Mexico). The order grants the Department of Defense jurisdiction to conduct border-barrier construction, deploy detection equipment, and detain immigrants accused of trespassing on federal land pending transfer to immigration agents. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will assess the initial phase after 45 days and may extend the scope at any time.

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• DHS agents turned away from Los Angeles elementary schools seeking undocumented students — Immigration agents from the Department of Homeland Security attempted to enter two Los Angeles elementary schools (Lillian Street and Russell) on Thursday seeking five students in grades one through six. School principals turned them away after requesting identification. Los Angeles Unified, a sanctuary district, does not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The incident marks the Trump administration's first attempt to enter LA public schools since rescinding Biden-era guidelines that prohibited ICE enforcement in sensitive areas including schools and churches.

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• DHS sent removal notice to US-born immigration lawyer — Nicole Micheroni, a US-born American citizen and Massachusetts immigration attorney, received an email from Trump administration immigration authorities on April 11 stating "It is time for you to leave the United States" and threatening law enforcement action if she did not depart immediately. DHS later claimed the notice may have been sent in error because her name appeared on client paperwork. The incident occurred amid aggressive Trump administration deportation efforts targeting both non-citizens and, according to public statements, potentially US citizens.
• Government sends erroneous deportation notices to U.S. citizens — The government mistakenly sent deportation notices to U.S. citizens, green card holders, and even a Canadian, threatening them with termination of their parole and demanding they leave the U.S. within seven days.
• Government sent erroneous deportation notices to U.S. citizens, green card holders, and foreign nationals — The government sent threatening emails to U.S. citizens, green card holders, and even a Canadian resident in Canada, terminating "your parole" and giving them seven days to leave the U.S. The notices were sent in error as part of the automated deportation system. The administration's attempt to automate mass deportation operations has produced widespread errors affecting people with legal status and foreign nationals outside U.S. jurisdiction.

Supporting reports

• Trump signs memorandum for military mission at the southern border — President Trump signed a memorandum directing the secretaries of defense, interior, agriculture, and homeland security to create a military buffer zone along the southern border. This would allow active-duty soldiers to detain migrants until ICE agents arrive.
• Trump signed memorandum creating military buffer zone along southern border — President Trump signed a memorandum to the secretaries of defense, interior, agriculture, and homeland security calling for a "Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions." The memorandum creates a military buffer zone along the border so that any migrant crossing would be trespassing on a U.S. military base, allowing active-duty soldiers to hold migrants until ICE agents take them. By April 20, the secretaries of defense and homeland security are supposed to report whether the president should invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act to enable use of the military in mass deportations.
• White House issues National Security Presidential Memorandum directing military deployment to southern border — The White House issued National Security Presidential Memorandum-4 (NSPM-4) on April 11, 2025, directing the Secretaries of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security to enable military operations along the southern border. The memorandum authorizes the Department of Defense to assume jurisdiction over federal lands (excluding Indian reservations), construct border barriers, and deploy detection equipment. It invokes emergency authorities under 43 U.S.C. 155 to withdraw public lands without standard limitations. The Secretary of Defense is empowered to determine necessary military activities and establish rules of engagement; implementation begins on a limited sector with a 45-day assessment period.

Supporting reports

• Judge Xinis orders return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia; Supreme Court unanimously upholds order — On April 4, Judge Paula Xinis ordered the administration to "facilitate and effectuate" the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland constituent wrongfully rendered to CECOT. Six days later, on April 10, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously upheld Xinis's order in a 9–0 decision, requiring the administration to work to return Abrego Garcia to the United States.
• Supreme Court issued 9-0 decision ordering government to facilitate Abrego Garcia's release — The Supreme Court issued a unanimous 9-0 decision ordering the government to "facilitate" the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador and return him to the United States. The decision came in response to the government's appeal of a federal district court order requiring his return by April 7. The Supreme Court asked the district court to clarify what "effectuate" meant and noted that it must give "due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs."
• Supreme Court issues 9–0 decision requiring government to facilitate Abrego Garcia's release — On April 10, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous 9–0 decision in response to the government's appeal of Judge Xinis's April 4 order. The Court required the Trump administration to "facilitate" Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release from custody in El Salvador. The Court asked the district court to clarify what "effectuate" means in the context of release, noting that it must give "due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs." The Court also ordered the government to be prepared to share information about steps taken and prospects for further steps toward his release.
• Supreme Court Partially Grants and Denies Application in Noem v. Abrego Garcia — The Supreme Court issued an order partially granting and partially denying the federal government's emergency application in the case of Noem v. Abrego Garcia. The case involved the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man with withholding of removal status, to El Salvador. The Court's decision requires the government to facilitate Abrego Garcia's release from custody in El Salvador and ensure his case is handled as if he had not been deported. However, the Court found the lower court's directive to "effectuate" his return unclear and potentially beyond its authority, instructing clarification with respect to executive deference in foreign affairs.

Supporting reports

• Trump orders DOJ to investigate Chris Krebs for election security statements — President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on April 9, 2025, ordering the Department of Justice to investigate Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Krebs coordinated efforts to secure the 2020 presidential election and publicly countered false claims of voter fraud. Trump accused Krebs of weaponizing his position against free speech and stripped him of his security clearance. Trump repeated debunked claims of a "badly rigged election" and suggested Krebs would "have a big price to pay" if the election was found to be unsafe.
• Trump orders DOJ to investigate Miles Taylor for alleged classified leaks and defiance — President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on April 9, 2025, ordering the Department of Justice to investigate Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security official who served as chief of staff to Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Taylor, who wrote an anonymous 2018 New York Times op-ed criticizing Trump and later published a book under the pseudonym "Anonymous," was accused of leaking classified information. Trump stripped Taylor of his security clearance and stated he believed Taylor was guilty of treason. Taylor responded that Trump had proven his point by weaponizing the justice department for revenge against dissent.
• Trump stripped security clearances from Christopher Krebs and Miles Taylor — On April 9, Trump revoked security clearances from Christopher Krebs, former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security staffer. Trump claimed Krebs censored Trump loyalists by affirming the 2020 election was not stolen, and that Taylor's anonymous op-ed and book were treasonous and violated the Espionage Act. Trump also ordered government officials to investigate both men and recommend "appropriate remedial or preventative actions." CISA employees reported the attack on Krebs had disheartened staff and compounded staffing cuts that had "already severely degraded our capacity to defend critical infrastructure."
• White House issued fact sheet on presidential memorandum revoking Chris Krebs' security clearance — The White House published a fact sheet on April 9, 2025, describing a Presidential Memorandum signed by President Trump that revokes any active security clearance held by Chris Krebs and associates, including individuals at SentinelOne. The memorandum directs federal agencies to immediately revoke such clearances and calls for a comprehensive review of Krebs' activities as former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), including evaluation of CISA's conduct over six years. The fact sheet characterizes Krebs as having "weaponized" government authority to suppress conservative viewpoints, coerce social media platforms, and censor election information.
• White House issued memorandum directing revocation of Christopher Krebs' security clearance and review of CISA activities — The White House issued a presidential memorandum on April 9, 2025, directing executive agencies to revoke the security clearance of Christopher Krebs, former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The memorandum alleges that Krebs engaged in censorship of speech related to the 2020 election and COVID-19, and directed coercion of social media platforms. It further directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to review Krebs' conduct as a federal employee and CISA's activities over the preceding six years, with a joint report to follow.
• 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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• 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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• US citizen Jose Hermosillo wrongfully detained by Border Patrol in Arizona for nearly 10 days — On 8 April, Border Patrol agents in Nogales, Arizona detained 19-year-old US citizen Jose Hermosillo, claiming he lacked proper immigration documents and had admitted entering illegally. Despite Hermosillo's repeated assertions of US citizenship, he was held at Florence correctional center for nearly 10 days. On 17 April, a federal magistrate judge dismissed his case after his family provided birth certificate and social security card proving citizenship. He was released that evening.
• Border Patrol officer documented false statements in official detention record — A Border Patrol officer created an official transcript of Hermosillo's encounter that falsely documented statements Hermosillo says he never made, including claims that he was born in Mexico, was a Mexican citizen, and entered the U.S. illegally. The officer signed the document attesting that Hermosillo "read" it or had it read to him, but Hermosillo states no one read him the document and he cannot read. The same officer also created a criminal complaint containing a factual error, placing Hermosillo's detention location 70 miles from where it actually occurred.
• U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by Border Patrol for 10 days based on false statements — Jose Hermosillo, a 19-year-old U.S. citizen from New Mexico, was arrested and held for 10 days at Florence Correctional Center in Arizona after approaching a Border Patrol officer for directions following a medical emergency. Border Patrol falsely documented that Hermosillo claimed to be an undocumented Mexican immigrant, though Hermosillo states he never made such statements and cannot read the transcript he was ordered to sign. DHS publicly defended the detention on X, citing the false transcript. Hermosillo was released on April 17 after his family provided his birth certificate to the court.

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• Georgetown scholar held in cell without bed for 21 hours daily during Ramadan — Lawyers for Georgetown scholar Badar Khan Suri, who was arrested by ICE last month, said Suri was held in a cell without a bed and with a TV blaring 21 hours a day for nearly two weeks. He was also denied food or water to break his Ramadan fast.

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• Court Orders Return of Deportee Amid Legal Controversy — U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a legal U.S. resident who was deported due to an "administrative error." The administration filed an emergency motion to appeal the order, despite the judge's ruling that the deportation was unlawful and a violation of constitutional rights.
• Trump administration filed emergency motion to block return order for Abrego Garcia — Following U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis's order that the government return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States by 11:59 p.m. on April 7, the Trump administration immediately filed an emergency motion to stop the order while it appeals her decision. The motion sought to prevent compliance with the judge's ruling that the deportation was unlawful.
• U.S. District Judge Xinis ordered government to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador — U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the Trump administration to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the United States no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 7. Abrego Garcia was in the United States legally, is married to a U.S. citizen, and is the father of a U.S. citizen. In 2019, a court barred the government from deporting him to El Salvador. On March 31, an ICE official told the court under oath that Abrego Garcia had been arrested and deported to prison in El Salvador because of an "administrative error." The government claimed it could not retrieve him because he is no longer in U.S. jurisdiction. In her April 7 opinion, Judge Xinis stated 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 criticized administration officials for asserting "they can 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 because they are no longer the 'custodian.'"
• Judge Paula Xinis orders daily compliance updates and depositions after Trump administration ignores court orders on wrongful deportation case — US District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the Trump administration to provide daily updates on efforts to comply with her April 10 order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Ábrego García, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador. After the government made clear it was doing nothing to comply, Xinis ordered government officials to respond to written questions and sit for depositions. Lawyers reported on Tuesday that the government was ignoring that order as well. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the administration's request to halt Xinis's rulings.
• Federal judge ordered government to file status update on Abrego Garcia by 9:30 a.m. — U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to file an update by 9:30 a.m. on April 11 explaining where Kilmar Abrego Garcia is, what the government is doing to get him back, and what additional steps it will take. She scheduled an in-person hearing for 1:00 p.m. The government responded that the judge had not given them enough time to answer and suggested it would delay, citing the Supreme Court's instruction that the judge show deference to the president's foreign affairs authority.
• Government attorney stated lack of knowledge about Abrego Garcia's location and no action taken — At the 1:00 p.m. hearing before Judge Paula Xinis, the government's attorney, Drew Ensign, stated that he did not have information about where Kilmar Abrego Garcia is and that the government had done nothing to get him back. Ensign said he might have answers by the following Tuesday. Judge Xinis ordered the government to provide an update by the next day. The government's filing at 12:15 p.m. had claimed Abrego Garcia is "in the custody of a foreign sovereign," but the attorney's testimony contradicted any claim of active efforts to secure his return.
• Government fails to comply with court order regarding Abrego Garcia — Following the Supreme Court's order, the government failed to provide information about Kilmar Abrego Garcia's whereabouts and did not take steps to facilitate his return, raising concerns about compliance with judicial directives.
• Government lawyer claims lack of information and ignores court order — On April 11, 2025, the lawyer representing the government, Drew Ensign, told the court that he did not have information about where Kilmar Abrego Garcia is located and ignored Judge Xinis's order to provide information about what steps the government was taking to bring him back. This non-compliance occurred despite the Supreme Court's April 10 decision requiring the government to facilitate his release and to share information about steps taken.
• Trump administration defies court order on wrongly deported Maryland resident — A federal judge in Maryland admonished Trump administration lawyers for failing to comply with a court order requiring details on the whereabouts and status of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Maryland resident with a valid US work permit who was wrongly deported to El Salvador on March 15. The US Supreme Court had upheld the judge's order for his return, but the administration claimed it needed more time and that foreign affairs considerations made compliance impracticable. The judge demanded daily updates and expressed frustration at the government's lack of concrete action.

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• US Supreme Court allows deportations under Alien Enemies Act with venue restrictions — The US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on April 7 that President Trump may continue using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members, but imposed limits: judicial challenges must occur in Texas (where detainees are held), not Washington DC; detainees must receive notice and reasonable time to seek habeas relief before removal. The ruling lifted a DC judge's temporary block on deportations, though two planes had already departed US airspace before the order was issued.
• US Supreme Court lifts block on deportations under 1798 Alien Enemies Act, requires due process — On Monday, April 7, the US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to lift a temporary injunction blocking the Trump administration's deportation of 238 Venezuelan men to El Salvador under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. While allowing the deportations to proceed, the Court unanimously affirmed that individuals facing removal have a constitutional right to habeas corpus and due process to challenge their deportation. The case was remanded to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas for further proceedings on the legality of invoking the wartime statute.
• Ruling vacated — J.G.G. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00766 — The Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision, vacated the district court's TROs holding that the case should have been brought as a habeas case where the plaintiffs were in custody at the time. The Court also stated, “notice must be afforded within a reasonable time and in such a manner as will allow them to actually seek habeas relief in the proper venue before such removal occurs.”
• Supreme Court Grants Emergency Application in Trump v. J.G.G. — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision granting the federal government's emergency application to vacate a lower court's order in the case of Trump v. J.G.G. The case involved a presidential proclamation under the Alien Enemies Act targeting members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The lower court had temporarily blocked the deportation of several Venezuelan men, treating them as a class. The Supreme Court's decision vacated this order, requiring challenges to be filed individually through habeas petitions in Texas, where some plaintiffs were held, rather than as a class action in D.C. The opinion did not address the use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations but affirmed non-citizens' due process rights.
• Supreme Court allowed deportation of Venezuelan migrants under Alien Enemies Act — The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to deport Venezuelan migrants using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act in a 5-4 decision. The ruling stated that migrants must be told they are being deported under the act and receive "reasonable time" to challenge their removal in the state where they are detained.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in Trump v. J. G. G. (24A931) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in Trump v. J. G. G. Docket number(s): 24A931.