A federal appellate court ruled 2-1 against the Trump administration’s deportation policy targeting Venezuelan nationals under an 18th-century wartime law.
The decision, which stemmed from a case questioning constitutional due process rights, halted the administration’s efforts to proceed with deportations.
The D.C. Circuit Court’s judges, including Obama appointee Patricia Millett, debated the application of the law, particularly regarding the timeframe for individuals to seek habeas protections. Legal experts anticipate the Trump administration will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, where they hope to secure more authority for deportations with less judicial oversight.
Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the lower court rulings, vowing to bring the case before the Supreme Court if necessary.
