President Donald Trump faced two significant legal setbacks related to his deportation policies within hours on Thursday.
These court decisions challenged key elements of the administration’s aggressive immigration agenda.
The first ruling came from Judge Stephanie Haines, a Trump appointee based in Pennsylvania.
She ruled that the White House cannot issue only seven days’ notice before deporting individuals. Instead, officials must provide at least 21 days’ notice prior to removal.
This decision concerned the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, which the president invoked to enable mass deportations under the claim of a national immigration emergency. The case involved Venezuelan migrants linked to criminal gang activity.
In May, Judge Haines had approved the use of the Alien Enemies Act against Venezuelan migrants, citing an “incursion” of gang members from the Tren de Aragua group. However, she emphasized that those facing deportation retain their right to due process.
Now, Haines reaffirmed that deportees must be allowed sufficient time to access judicial hearings.
The administration’s plan to deport people within seven days after notice was ruled to violate this fundamental right.
The Trump administration had argued the seven-day period was adequate for deportations, but Haines disagreed, highlighting that the compressed