Federal Judges Block Deportations of Venezuelans Amid Legal Dispute

Federal judges in Texas and New York have temporarily blocked the Trump administration's plan to deport five Venezuelan men identified as members of the Tren de Aragua gang until they can contest their removal in court. Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. in Texas issued a restraining order for three men detained in a Texas facility, while Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein in New York planned to do the same for two others held in Orange County. The legal actions follow a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming that detainees must have due process and the opportunity to challenge their deportations. The ACLU has filed a class action lawsuit arguing that the men's classification as 'enemies of the state' under the Alien Enemies Act lacks reliable evidence and violates their rights. One of the detainees, who is HIV positive, fears losing access to medical care if deported. Both judges' orders are temporary, set to expire later this month as further legal proceedings unfold.