The Excerpt: March 17th, 2025 – Judges Challenge Trump Administration, ICE Detains US Citizen Spouses, and More

Good morning, everyone. It’s Taylor Wilson here, and today is Monday, St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, 2025. Welcome to The Excerpt, your daily dose of news from USA TODAY.

Today, we delve into a series of significant events impacting the nation. We’ll examine how federal judges are increasingly scrutinizing and challenging the Trump administration’s legal arguments. We’ll also investigate the unsettling reports of ICE detaining individuals married to or engaged with U.S. citizens. Furthermore, we’ll provide an update on the astronauts’ extended stay in space and the highly anticipated March Madness tournament.

Judges Push Back Against Administration Legal Arguments

Recent weeks have witnessed a surge in federal judges openly questioning the Trump administration’s legal justifications for various policies and actions. To understand this trend, I spoke with Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY’s Supreme Court Correspondent.

Maureen explained that three federal judges, in particular, have voiced strong concerns in their respective courtrooms. First, U.S. District Judge William Alsup, presiding over a case involving federal worker firings, criticized the administration for what he perceived as a lack of transparency and attempts to obfuscate the truth. Judge Alsup expressed frustration with the administration’s presentation of "press releases" and "sham documents" instead of providing clear and direct answers regarding the mass firings of federal employees. He also directly accused the administration of lying in dismissal notices, which falsely attributed the firings to poor performance.

Second, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, overseeing a hearing on the Trump administration’s transgender troop ban in the military, challenged the Justice Department’s basis for the decision. Judge Reyes specifically questioned the selective use of a 2021 military report, accusing the administration of "cherry-picking" data to support their position while ignoring the study’s overall conclusions.

Finally, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled that the Constitution does not permit the Trump administration to withhold funds Congress had designated for humanitarian assistance and foreign aid. Judge Ali criticized the administration’s explanation for the blanket freeze on spending, stating that there was no rational connection between the stated goal of reviewing programs and the immediate suspension of all funding.

Maureen Groppe emphasized the significance of these judges’ criticisms, noting that they highlight potential weaknesses in the administration’s legal strategies. She explained that judges assess whether the administration possesses the constitutional authority to enact certain policies. If the administration’s explanations are found to be false or lacking, it can jeopardize their legal standing.

Deportation and Detention Concerns

In other news, the Trump administration has reportedly deported nearly 300 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua under the Alien Enemies Act, despite a federal judge’s order to block the flight. This action raises concerns about the administration’s adherence to due process and the potential misuse of the 1798 law.

Furthermore, reports have emerged regarding ICE detaining individuals married to or engaged with U.S. citizens. I spoke with Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY National Immigration Reporter, to shed light on this alarming trend.

Lauren shared the story of Bradley Bartell and Sylvia Muñoz, a couple from Wisconsin. Sylvia, originally from Peru, overstayed her work-study visa due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She later married Bradley and applied for U.S. citizenship. However, on their way back from a honeymoon in Puerto Rico, Sylvia was intercepted at the San Juan Airport and detained by ICE.

Lauren explained that Sylvia is not alone in this situation, adding that several other women have been detained similarly at airports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These women were all seemingly in some form of legal immigration process.

A key issue in Sylvia’s case is the visa overstay. Lauren clarified that a visa overstay is not treated the same way as illegally crossing the border, because visa applicants undergo a vetting process. She mentioned that even with a visa overstay, it is possible for an individual to adjust their status if they marry a U.S. citizen, although it may lead to deportation with a bar to reentry. What is concerning in these situations is that ICE is choosing to detain individuals, placing them in correctional facilities, while their immigration cases are being processed.

Lauren emphasized that ICE possesses broad authority to detain and deport immigrants without legal status. However, what is particularly concerning is the detention of individuals with proof of some kind of legal immigration process, even if their status has not yet been approved. She even cited a case in which a woman with a valid green card, who applied for a replacement, is currently being detained by ICE.

In light of these developments, advocates are advising immigrants in legal limbo to exercise caution when traveling and to be aware of how their immigration process could be "weaponized" against them. It is crucial to carry all necessary paperwork and proof of residency or citizenship.

Lauren also indicated that ICE is under immense pressure to increase the number of arrests and deportations, leading to a crackdown that may extend to those still in a legal immigration process.

Other News Headlines

Beyond these stories, other events are dominating the news cycle. Devastating severe storms and tornadoes have claimed the lives of at least 37 people across multiple states, decimating homes and infrastructure.

On a lighter note, the SpaceX Crew 10 Mission has successfully reached the International Space Station. This arrival signals a significant milestone for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been aboard the ISS since June due to the ill-fated Boeing Starliner mission. With Crew 10 now in orbit, Wilmore and Williams are finally preparing for their return to Earth.

Finally, Selection Sunday has revealed the brackets for the college basketball tournament, more commonly known as March Madness. Auburn, Duke, Houston, and Florida will be the top seeds in the men’s tournament, while UCLA, South Carolina, Texas, and USC are the top seeds in the Whitman’s field.

Forum: Media Focus on Government

Later today, we will be discussing whether the media is focusing too much on the Trump administration and the federal government. Tune in to our second bonus episode of Forum at 4:00 PM Eastern Time to hear the perspectives of listeners and readers.

Thank you for listening to The Excerpt. You can find the podcast wherever you get your audio. I’m Taylor Wilson, and I’ll be back tomorrow with more news from USA TODAY.