Deborah Archer President at American Civil Liberties Union | Official website
A federal judge has expanded a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to remove immigrants from the United States. This decision, made in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Democracy Forward, and the ACLU of the District of Columbia, extends protection to all individuals at risk under this act.
The lawsuit, J.G.G. v. Trump, was initiated following President Trump's anticipated invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. Although signed yesterday, this invocation was officially published today. Earlier in the day, a court had already ordered that individual plaintiffs involved in this case not be removed for 14 days.
A remote hearing took place before Chief Judge James E. Boasberg where representatives from the ACLU and Democracy Forward argued successfully for preliminary class action certification and an extension of the restraining order to cover everyone detained under this act. Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project and lead counsel on this case, presented arguments for expanding the TRO.
A hearing concerning the merits of this lawsuit is set for March 21 at U.S. District Court in Washington D.C., with further details expected soon.
