Judge Boasberg Orders Government to Facilitate Return of Deported Venezuelans

The Department of Justice argued that the hearings are infeasible, in part because of Venezuela’s current political climate.

Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, at E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington on March 16, 2023. Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via AP

A federal judge in Washington has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return of Venezuelans who he said should receive a hearing after their deportation under the Alien Enemies Act.

Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia wrote in his Feb. 12 ruling that the government must parole those deportees into U.S. custody if they present themselves at a port of entry and must provide them due process to contest their deportation.