U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni issued the temporary restraining order on Tuesday following assurances from government attorneys that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, had no scheduled or confirmed flights to deport Afghan nationals to either country through the end of the week.

The ruling comes amid growing concerns over the fate of Afghan immigrants, including individuals with family connections to Afghans who assisted American military personnel during the United States’ two-decade involvement in Afghanistan.

According to a Justice Department filing submitted last week, dozens of Afghan nationals were expected to face deportation this week, prompting urgent intervention from immigration lawyers, advocacy organizations and families of those detained.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, government attorneys informed the court that ICE had no confirmed chartered or commercial flights arranged for the deportations.

Judge Caproni subsequently ordered the administration to honor those representations, emphasizing that no deportation flights to Afghanistan or Pakistan could be arranged or carried out during the period covered by the restraining order.

The court also acknowledged government statements indicating that organizing such deportation flights typically requires several weeks of preparation.

The temporary order will remain in effect through Saturday, providing additional time for legal challenges and advocacy efforts aimed at protecting affected Afghan nationals.

Immigration advocates welcomed the court’s intervention, describing it as an important victory for Afghan families facing uncertainty over their immigration status and personal safety.

Shawn VanDiver, president of the advocacy organization AfghanEvac, credited military veterans, immigration campaigners, members of Congress and concerned Americans with helping prevent the anticipated deportation flight.

VanDiver said the development represented a significant change from the previous week, when advocates believed a deportation flight was being arranged.

He noted that coordinated pressure from veterans, advocacy groups, 66 members of Congress and thousands of Americans contributed to the intervention.

However, he cautioned that the court’s decision provides only temporary protection and does not permanently resolve the legal uncertainties facing Afghan nationals.

The case has renewed concerns about the treatment of Afghan immigrants, particularly families with ties to individuals who supported American military operations.

Advocacy organizations have raised questions about the potential risks facing those returned to Afghanistan, as well as the implications of transferring Afghan nationals to Pakistan.

While the latest judicial order prevents the administration from proceeding with the specified deportations during the temporary restriction, it does not establish a permanent ban on future removals.

The ruling also leaves broader questions about the affected immigrants’ legal status and long-term protection unresolved.

As the Saturday deadline approaches, attorneys and advocates are expected to continue efforts to secure additional legal safeguards.

For now, the court’s intervention offers temporary relief to Afghan nationals facing removal, while highlighting the continuing legal and humanitarian debate surrounding the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.