J.A.V. v. Trump
Case page of J.A.V. v. Trump.
Overview[edit]
Case Summary:
This case challenges the Alien Enemies Act in the Southern District of Texas, using the mechanism (class action writ of habeas) required by the Supreme Court's J.G.G. ruling (April 7, 2025).
Case Status:
The district court ruled (May 1, 2025) that the government was not allowed to use the AEA to "detain[], transfer[], or remov[e]" anyone in the class. The government appealed (June 27, 2025) this decision to the Fifth Circuit, which has stayed the ruling while the W.M.M. v. Trump case is ongoing.
Upcoming Events:
| Date | Summary | Court
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Topics Involved:
Courts Involved:
| Court Level | Court | Docket Number | Judge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Courts of Appeals | Fifth Circuit | 25-40400 | Not Available |
| Federal Trial Courts | Southern District of Texas | 1:25-cv-00072 | Fernando Rodriguez Jr. |
Detailed Timeline[edit]
List of all events in this case:
| Date | Summary | Court |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-09 | The plaintiffs ask the court grant them protection from the Alien Enemies Act in the Southern District of Texas. SOURCE NEWS | Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-04-09 | The plaintiffs ask for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to preserve the status quo in the short term (i.e. keep them from being removed under the AEA). SOURCE | Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-04-09 | The plaintiffs ask for class certification, confirming that everyone who could be subject to the AEA is protected, not just those named in the case (pseudonymously). SOURCE | Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-04-09 | The court grants the TRO, stopping the federal government from using the AEA to remove anyone, until at least April 23, 2025. SOURCE | Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-04-11 | The court extends the TRO through April 25, and sets a timeline for the hearings on a Preliminary Injunction (PI) that would stop the use of the AEA throughout the entire litigation process. SOURCE | Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-04-16 | The plaintiffs formally ask for a PI, to stop the AEA from being used until the court reaches a final decision. SOURCE | Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-04-23 | The government responds to the motion for a PI that would stop the AEA from being used during the judicial process.
Crucially, ICE's Cisneros declaration revealed more about the AEA removal process, at odds with arguments made at SCOTUS in the related WMM case. SOURCE NEWS |
Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-04-25 | The TRO is extended, so the AEA can't be used until at soonest May 2, 2025. SOURCE | Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-05-01 | The court grants the class certification, confirming that everyone who could be subject to the AEA is protected, not just those named in the case (pseudonyously). SOURCE | Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-05-01 | The court explains its reasoning for why the AEA can't be used as-invoked in March 2025. SOURCE | Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-05-01 | The court formalizes its final judgement that the AEA's use was "unlawful." SOURCE NEWS | Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-06-27 | The government gives notice that it will appeal to the Fifth Circuit the decision that the AEA cannot be used in the Southern District of Texas. SOURCE NEWS | Southern District of Texas |
| 2025-06-30 | The government's appeal to the Fifth Circuit shows up on the docket.
They seek to overturn the district court's ruling that the AEA cannot be used in the Southern District of Texas. SOURCE |
Fifth Circuit |
| 2025-07-09 | Govt moves (unopposed) to stay the ongoing proceedings pending the other relevant case before the Fifth Circuit, W.M.M. v. Trump. SOURCE | Fifth Circuit |
| 2025-07-14 | Fifth Circuit orders proceedings in this case stayed while W.M.M. v. Trump is ongoing before the same court. SOURCE | Fifth Circuit |