Federal judges block Trump administration's deportation and transgender‑care subpoenas

U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon ruled that the Trump administration likely violated the law by deporting 55‑year‑old Colombian asylum seeker Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country that refused to accept her and could not provide needed medical care. The judge ordered her return to the United States, noting the severe health risks she faces.

In a separate case, U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy refused to enforce a Justice Department subpoena that sought birth dates, Social Security numbers, addresses and medical records of minors who received gender‑affirming care at Rhode Island Hospital. McElroy described the DOJ as “unworthy of this trust” and criticized its “forum‑shopping” tactics, calling the request an invasion of privacy and bad‑faith litigation.

Both rulings represent judicial pushback against Trump‑era policies targeting immigration enforcement and transgender youth health services.