The D.C. Court of Appeals heard arguments Monday on whether federal Judge James Boasberg had the authority earlier this month to temporarily halt the Trump administration's efforts to deport Venezuelan illegal migrants under a wartime law from 1798. 

On March 15, Boasberg, a U.S. District judge, issued an order temporarily blocking the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport illegal migrants to El Salvador and Honduras. 

Administration lawyers argued that the planes were already in the air. Boasberg ordered the planes to be turned around, but they didn't. The issue appears headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, regardless of how the D.C. Court of Appeals rules.