Federal Judges’ Rulings
Across the United States, federal judges have mandated the release of migrants suspected of gang affiliations, prompting backlash from officials in the Trump administration who argue that these decisions jeopardize public safety. Sigal Chattah, head of the U.S. attorney’s office in Las Vegas, reported that U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II ordered the Department of Homeland Security to free a convicted murderer identified as a known member of the MS-13 gang with a final deportation order. Chattah voiced serious concerns regarding the potential risks to local communities.
The case in Nevada involves an El Salvadoran national referred to in court documents as L.R., who has served 25 years for first-degree murder, attempted murder, and weapons offenses. During his incarceration, he became affiliated with both MS-13 and the Mexican Mafia before later distancing himself from both groups. Following his parole in 2022, he was detained for deportation proceedings.
Judge Boulware determined that L.R. should be released because his deportation was not imminent. Although the Biden administration attempted to send him back to El Salvador, immigration courts concluded that his gang history and visible tattoos would make him a target there. The Trump administration then sought to deport him to Mexico; however, the judge found that L.R.’s concerns about facing danger from the Mexican Mafia were valid.
The judge also highlighted troubling remarks made by an ICE officer suggesting that L.R. should self-deport to Mexico or risk being sent back to El Salvador regardless. Judge Boulware set reasonable supervision conditions for L.R.’s release and ordered authorities to ensure his freedom by January 21.
In Texas, Judge Alan Albright similarly ordered Juan Carlos Garcia-Calderon’s release despite government claims linking him to gangs, ruling that officials had not provided new evidence or cited terrorism-related reasons for continued detention.
These releases are part of habeas corpus petitions challenging governmental detention authority and have increased among attorneys representing migrants affected by President Trump’s expanded deportation policies. Government sources indicated that releases involving gang members are not isolated incidents and some occurred without any supervision stipulations.
Judges across the country have consistently rejected interpretations by the Trump administration seeking broader detention powers. In Massachusetts alone, 153 alien habeas cases were filed this month while Los Angeles recorded 167 cases. Minnesota saw a dramatic rise with 411 cases filed in January 2026 compared to just one case in January 2025.
