J.G.G. v. Donald Trump — D.C. Cir. (Sep 25, 2026)
The D.C. Circuit hears the government's appeal in J.G.G. v. Trump. In March 2025, U.S. officials sent 137 Venezuelan men to a prison in El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act without giving them a chance to challenge their removal first. Months later, the men were released to Venezuela in a prisoner exchange. A district judge found they were denied due process and ordered steps toward hearings, including help returning class members then in third countries who want to come back. The government disputes whether the court still has jurisdiction and whether that remedy goes too far.
J.G.G. v. Donald Trump (No. 26-5074) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, argued September 25, 2026.
Sources
Argument audio — D.C. Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/recordings/docs/2026/09/26-5074.mp3
Argument listing — D.C. Circuit:https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/recordings/bydate/2026/9
Appellate docket — D.C. Circuit via Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/cadc/26-5074
December 2025 district-court opinion:https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/district-of-columbia/dcdce/1:2025cv00766/278436/215/0.pdf
February 2026 district-court order:https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/district-of-columbia/dcdce/1:2025cv00766/278436/247/0.pdf
Case preview — ACLU (counsel for appellees):https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/d-c-circuit-to-hear-upcoming-arguments-on-trump-administrations-defiance-of-court-order-and-cecot-deportations-under-alien-enemies-act
Lee Gelernt biography — ACLU:https://www.aclu.org/bios/lee-gelernt
28 U.S.C. § 2241 — Office of the Law Revision Counsel:https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:28%20section:2241%20edition:prelim)
Heck v. Humphrey — Supreme Court opinion via Cornell LII:https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/512/477
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 — U.S. Courts:https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/civil_federal_rules_pamphlet_dec_1_2023.pdf
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:02Advocate — Tiberius Davis
- 3:22Constructive custody
- 9:58Mootness after release
- 35:16The Heck question
- 37:49Advocate — Lee Gelernt
- 1:07:50Habeas class actions