Exclusive: Trump administration moved Venezuelan to Texas for possible deportation despite judge's order
Source: Reuters
April 24, 2025 12:49 PM EDT Updated an hour ago
April 24 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration moved a Venezuelan man who had worked in construction in Philadelphia to Texas for possible deportation after a federal judge had issued an order blocking his removal from Pennsylvania or the United States, according to court records.
A plane transporting the man took off on April 15 from an airport in the state capital Harrisburg about a half hour after U.S. District Judge Stephanie Haines issued an order temporarily blocking the administration from moving him out of her western Pennsylvania judicial district or the country, Justice Department lawyer Laura Irwin told an April 17 hearing, conducted as a conference call.
The Venezuelan, referred to in court papers as "A.S.R.," was then brought to the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Anson, Texas, according to the government and American Civil Liberties Union, which represents him. The administration has not been accused of violating the order by Haines, appointed by Trump during his first presidential term, by sending the man to Texas.
But his transfer demonstrates the administration's aggressive tactics to try to swiftly deport Venezuelan migrants it accuses of being members of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua even as various courts including the Supreme Court impose restrictions. Representatives of the Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-moved-venezuelan-texas-possible-deportation-despite-judges-2025-04-24/
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