A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. government denied due process to Venezuelan men deported to a prison in El Salvador in March 2025, following President Donald Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. This ruling emerged from a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democracy Forward, which argued that the deportation was executed illegally and that the individuals should have been allowed to contest their removal. Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia stated that the deported individuals were entitled to a hearing regarding their status.

In his opinion, Boasberg emphasized that the law mandates due process rights, stating, "On the merits, the Court concludes that this class was denied their due-process rights and will thus require the Government to facilitate their ability to obtain such hearing." He also certified the group of deported individuals as a class, allowing the plaintiffs to represent all affected men.

President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act on March 15, 2025, targeting alleged members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang. Following this, the U.S. government deported several planeloads of individuals, including 137 men, to El Salvador. Despite a temporary restraining order issued by Boasberg to halt deportations, the flights proceeded. The Justice Department contended that the judge had exceeded his authority by intervening in foreign policy matters. However, Boasberg maintained that the U.S. retained custody over the men while they were imprisoned in El Salvador, thus preserving the court's jurisdiction over their situation. He mandated that the administration must either facilitate their return to the U.S. or provide them with hearings that meet due process standards by January 5, 2026.