The individuals linked to the “foreign terror cartel” known as Torren de Aragua are set to be deported back to the United States in 2025, a decision that may leave taxpayers covering the costs.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who has had multiple confrontations with the Trump administration, ruled on Thursday that the deportation of 137 immigrants to a renowned prison in El Salvador should be expedited for 2025.
In his order, Boasberg emphasized that the government would be responsible for the airfare needed to return these migrants to the States, suggesting that taxpayers would end up shouldering the expense. He questioned why the plaintiffs should bear the financial burden of repatriation, pointing out that if their constitutional rights had been respected prior to their deportation, this predicament wouldn’t exist.
The ruling is part of an ongoing lawsuit where Boasberg sought to stop the deportation of certain immigrants to El Salvador under the Alien Enemy Act. While the Supreme Court allowed deportations under this act to proceed in April, it mandated that detainees receive notification and a chance to contest the claims against them.
Since that decision, Boasberg has been working on legal avenues concerning the men in El Salvador, leading to a ruling in December that the Trump administration had denied them due process.
What’s uncertain now is how many will agree to return to the United States, especially since Boasberg mentioned that any non-citizens would be detained upon their arrival.
In a parallel situation, another federal judge directed the Trump administration this month to cover the deportation costs for three immigrant families, which he ruled had been wrongly deported under a recent settlement.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, addressing the ruling, defended the actions taken against the Salvadoran individuals, emphasizing that they were removed legally and characterizing them as foreign terrorists, a label given by the president.
She further argued that the case reflects Judge Boasberg’s campaign against President Trump’s efforts as opposed to the actual facts and law at hand.
Boasberg has faced scrutiny from Republican circles over many rulings concerning Trump-era policies, including possible judicial impeachment discussions regarding “corrupt” judges.
Recently, the Trump administration has used the Alien Enemies Act from 1798 to facilitate the deportation of immigrants, particularly targeting those with suspected links to gangs like Tren de Aragua. The State Department classified both Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations in February 2025.
Those deported to high-security facilities in El Salvador are frequently described by the administration as violent threats to U.S. safety.
Reports have indicated that some deportees have faced severe charges in the U.S., with several having been convicted of various crimes, while the DHS continues to label others as “non-criminals” despite their association with gang-related activities.
