A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return of certain Venezuelan migrants who were unlawfully deported, while the Senate faced a deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security amid stalled immigration reform efforts. These developments occurred on Thursday, February 12, 2026, alongside news of a collision between two U.S. Navy ships in the Caribbean and Democratic lawmakers' outrage over alleged tracking of search history related to the Epstein files.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled that the Trump administration must assist in the return of Venezuelan migrants deported under the Alien Enemies Act. According to CBS News, the judge acknowledged that the number of migrants seeking to return to the U.S. to challenge their detentions and removals would likely be small. He gave lawyers for the Venezuelan men until February 27 to inform him of the number of plaintiffs who wish to travel to a U.S. port of entry or be flown from a third country.
Simultaneously, the Senate was voting on funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), facing a Saturday deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown. CBS News reported that a deal between Democrats and Republicans to reform the administration's immigration enforcement operation remained elusive. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Senate Democrats would vote no on the funding bill because it failed to make any progress on immigration reform.
In other news, a federal judge blocked the Department of Defense from penalizing Sen. Mark Kelly over a video related to refusing illegal orders, according to ABC News. The judge's decision prevented the Pentagon from attempting to demote Kelly and reduce his retirement benefits.
Also on Wednesday, two U.S. Navy ships collided in the Caribbean, resulting in minor injuries to two personnel, according to a statement from U.S. Southern Command, as reported by ABC News. The ships involved were the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply. Both ships continued to sail safely after the incident.
Finally, Democrats expressed anger over the Department of Justice (DOJ) allegedly tracking their search history while reviewing the Epstein files, according to Fox News. Rep. Pramila Jayapal called the alleged tracking "totally inappropriate" after a photographer captured a printout of queries Attorney General Pam Bondi brought with her to a hearing.
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