Federal appeals court clears way for Boasberg to rule on deported CECOT migrants
Appeals Court Clears Way for Judge Boasberg to Rule on Fate of Deported CECOT Migrants
A federal appeals court has cleared the way for U.S. District Judge James Boasberg to continue ruling on the fate of hundreds of CECOT migrants deported by the Trump administration earlier this year. The court dissolved an emergency stay previously granted and sent the case back to the lower court for further consideration.
The three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit cited a significantly new factual situation at play and remanded the case back to the lower court for future proceedings. This decision comes after a preliminary injunction by Boasberg provisionally certified a class of CECOT migrants challenging their removal to CECOT under the Alien Enemies Act in March.
Who is Judge James Boasberg?
James Boasberg, the chief judge of the US District Court, has been at the center of Trump’s deportation efforts. His rulings have faced scrutiny and legal challenges, with this latest decision adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle.
Left: President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Mar. 21, 2025; Right: James Boasberg, chief judge of the US District Court, in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Mar. 13, 2023.(Left: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Right: Valie Plesch/bloomberg Via Getty Images)
The Trump administration’s appeal of Boasberg’s injunction led to the emergency stay that has now been dissolved by the appeals court. The judges emphasized that their decision was based on the changed circumstances on the ground, with Venezuelan migrants deported to CECOT being sent back to Venezuela in a prisoner exchange with President Nicolás Maduro.
While the court did not rule on the merits of the appeal, it acknowledged the shift in the situation and the release of the class members from Salvadoran custody. The future of the case remains uncertain, with the court refraining from expressing an opinion on the appropriate class or relief in light of the changed circumstances.
This development is a significant twist in the legal saga surrounding the deportation of CECOT migrants and underscores the complexities of immigration and diplomatic issues. Stay tuned for updates on this breaking news story.
