• Judge Gallagher ordered the Trump administration to bring back a Venezuelan asylum seeker deported to El Salvador, citing due process violations and a breach of a prior settlement.
• Judge Boasberg is investigating whether the US has 'constructive custody' over migrants deported to El Salvador, particularly regarding President Trump's claim to be able to secure their return.
• Both cases highlight concerns about the Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act and its adherence to due process in immigration proceedings.

The Trump administration's immigration policies are facing increased legal scrutiny, with federal judges questioning the legality and fairness of certain deportation practices. Judge Stephanie Gallagher has ordered the return of a Venezuelan migrant, Daniel Lozano-Camargo, deported to El Salvador, arguing that his deportation violated due process and a prior settlement with DHS. Meanwhile, Judge James Boasberg is examining the administration's claims regarding its ability to secure the return of migrants deported to El Salvador, as well as the broader question of whether the U.S. retains 'constructive custody' over these individuals.

• What: Two federal judges are challenging the Trump administration's immigration policies, specifically regarding deportations to El Salvador and the use of the Alien Enemies Act.
• Who: Key figures include Judge Stephanie Gallagher, Judge James Boasberg, Daniel Lozano-Camargo (Venezuelan migrant), Kilmar Abrego Garcia (migrant wrongly deported), President Donald Trump, and DOJ attorney Abhishek Kambli.
• When: The events occurred in March and April of 2025, with court hearings taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday of an unspecified week. Judge Gallagher's pause on her ruling extends until Thursday afternoon.
• Where: The legal proceedings are taking place in U.S. District Courts in Baltimore and Washington D.C. The deportations are to El Salvador, specifically to the 'Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT)' prison.

The simultaneous scrutiny from two different federal judges highlights growing legal concerns about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics. Judge Gallagher's focus on due process emphasizes the importance of legal protections, even for individuals with prior offenses. Judge Boasberg's questioning of the administration's claims about its inability to secure the return of deported migrants raises fundamental questions about executive power and accountability. The invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime authority, in the context of immigration enforcement raises additional constitutional concerns. These cases could set important precedents for future immigration policy and enforcement.

"requires him to be here and have his hearing"

Didn’t the president say just last week that he could secure the return of Abrego Garcia just by picking up the phone and asking El Slavador to release him – so is the president telling the truth?

The legal challenges to the Trump administration's deportation policies underscore the ongoing debate about immigration enforcement and due process. The outcomes of these cases could have significant implications for the rights of asylum seekers and the limits of executive power in immigration matters. The judicial scrutiny also raises questions about the transparency and consistency of the administration's approach to immigration law.