A federal judge has rejected a request from the Trump administration to reverse her order requiring the return of a 20-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker deported earlier this year.

U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher, herself a Trump appointee, reaffirmed her earlier ruling on Tuesday that the U.S. government must bring Daniel Lozano-Camargo back to American soil. Lozano-Camargo was deported to El Salvador in March under the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, despite a 2024 legal settlement protecting young asylum seekers from removal until their court cases are fully heard.

The government argued that Lozano-Camargo, who has prior low-level drug offenses, no longer qualified for those protections. But Judge Gallagher firmly stated the issue is not about the strength of his asylum case, but about due process — ensuring his right to have his case properly heard in U.S. courts.

While she rejected the administration’s request, Gallagher did grant a 48-hour pause on her ruling, giving the government time to appeal to the 4th Circuit Court. She emphasized this decision balances the administration’s ability to seek a higher review while preserving the plaintiff’s legal right to challenge the deportation in court.

Gallagher pointedly noted that deporting Lozano-Camargo before his case was adjudicated effectively pre-judges the outcome something she called a violation of legal process.

As the government scrambles to respond, immigrant rights advocates are hailing the ruling as a significant affirmation of legal protections for asylum seekers, even those with past convictions.

SNEWS TV will continue monitoring this case as it moves through the appeals process.

Reporting by Katy Moore.