A U.S. District Judge, James Boasberg, has decided to scrap a court hearing planned for Tuesday, which was set to address the Trump administration's controversial application of a 1798 wartime law aimed at deporting Venezuelan nationals. This decision came after the Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the administration, asserting that any related legal proceedings should occur in the Southern District of Texas or wherever the detainees are currently located.

The legal dispute centered on President Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, which has seen limited use throughout its 228-year history, only being employed during major conflicts such as the War of 1812 and the world wars. Last month, plaintiffs sought an emergency restraining order in D.C. District Court to temporarily halt the administration's deportation efforts, and Judge Boasberg granted the request, highlighting the potential harm that could befall the migrants.

However, this restraining order was overturned after the Supreme Court issued an emergency order siding with Trump. The high court’s ruling underscored the necessity for due process rights for migrants facing deportation, affirming their right to court appearances and notice of removal proceedings under the Alien Enemies Act. The justices emphasized that notice must be given in a timely manner, enabling individuals to seek habeas relief before any deportation actions take place.

Moreover, Boasberg instructed the plaintiffs to inform the court by April 16 if they believe they have valid grounds to continue with their motion in the D.C. court, rather than shifting to the designated Texas venue. If they wish to proceed, he indicated that they would need to propose a briefing timeline for continued review.