A federal judge ordered the U.S. government to return Venezuelan immigrants deported to El Salvador's high-security CECOT prison, despite a ruling he issued almost a year ago.U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to cover the cost of flying immigrants back to the U.S. should they wish, after they were swiftly deported under the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) last March. Boasberg argued that the affected Venezuelans were denied due process as a result."Against this backdrop, and mindful of the flagrancy of the Government's violations of the deportees' due-process rights that landed Plaintiffs in this situation, the Court refuses to let them languish in the solution-less mire Defendants propose," wrote the judge, who has repeatedly clashed with the White House.Newsweek reached out to the Department of Justice via contact form for comment Thursday afternoon.Why It MattersMore than 200 immigrants, most of them Venezuelan, were sent to the notorious high-security prison in El Salvador on March 15, 2025, despite Boasberg having issued an order the same day barring the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to do just that. Legal challenges ensued, with a Salvadoran man—Kilmar Abrego Garcia—found to have been wrongly placed on one of the planes despite another court order barring his removal to his home country.The vast prison has seen numerous reports of abuse and torture, with some former inmates speaking out about the conditions following rare releases. ...What To KnowBoasberg said Thursday that his court had offered the government "the opportunity to propose steps that would facilitate hearings" for those deported last year, so that they could have their immigration cases heard in full. "Apparently not interested in participating in this process, the Government’s responses essentially told the Court to pound sand," he wrote, adding that he was now ordering the government to honor habeas corpus petitions.The Venezuelans who had initially been deported to CECOT were sent back to Venezuela as part of an exchange coordinated between the three countries last summer, which included sending Americans held in Venezuela back to the U.S. While the Venezuelans may be in their home country now, Boasberg said they will have an opportunity to return to the U.S.Those who are returned to the U.S., likely a small number, could still be held in ICE detention, the judge said, while their cases are heard. Whether the government acts on the judge's orders remains to be seen, with the two sides repeatedly clashing over the past 11 months on the issue. What People Are SayingDHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, in a statement to Newsweek: “Nothing has changed; in addition to being in our country illegally, these aliens are foreign terrorists designated as alien enemies by the President. They were removed under the proper legal authorities. This case is no longer about the facts or law, but about Judge Boasberg’s crusade to stop President Trump from doing the will of the American People. He has been shut down by appellate courts again and again on this case.”Judge James Boasberg, on Thursday: "Respecting the Government’s preference, as indicated at the most recent hearing, the Court will require it to parole into United States custody any Plaintiff who appears at a U.S. port of entry. This number, at least according to Plaintiffs, would likely be very small if not zero."What Happens NextBoasberg's order gives the government until March 13—almost a year on from the AEA removals—to file a status report explaining how it will facilitate his orders. Update 2/12/26, 1:52 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and comment from Tricia McLaughlin. In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.