Judge Boasberg Chides Government for Its Hurried Effort to Deport Venezuelans
In a heated debate on Monday, Chief Judge James Boasberg of the federal district court in Washington showed extreme concern over the Trump administration’s move to accelerate the deportation of Venezuelan nationals without heeding a court order meant to suspend the operation. The judge was concerned about why flights carrying deportees were initiated hours before his Saturday injunction.
Wartime Deportation Powers Under Scrutiny
The row is due to President Trump’s application of the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century law normally used for wartime deportations. Trump applied the act against Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan crime syndicate, citing that it was closely tied with the Venezuelan government. The administration employed this reason to rapidly deport almost 250 Venezuelans, while five others who had sued were held in U.S. custody.
Judge Temporarily Halts Trump Administration’s Deployment of Alien Enemies Act for Deportations
In a major judicial setback, a federal judge has temporarily stayed the Trump administration’s attempt to use the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to deport five Venezuelans.Trump Administration Considering New Visa Limits on Citizens of Several Countries
The Trump administration is said to be considering imposing new travel bans on citizens of many countries as part of a revised immigration policy.
Planes Flew Deported Migrants to El Salvador in Defiance of Court Order
Judge Boasberg gave an oral order Saturday, directing officials to send back any planes deporting Venezuelans under Trump’s new policy. In defiance of that, three planes departed U.S. airspace, arriving later that evening in El Salvador, a nation that had taken the deportees under a secret agreement.
DOJ’s Pushback and Effort to Remove Judge
In a surprising twist, the Department of Justice asked Boasberg to be removed from the case and appealed to a higher court late Sunday evening ahead of Monday’s hearing. The appeals court has yet to address that request.
Judge Challenges DOJ Over Compliance and Transparency
In Monday’s 45-minute hearing, Boasberg sternly rebuked the DOJ’s arguments, specifically their assertion that the oral order was not legally binding until formally filed in writing. “That’s a heck of a stretch,” Boasberg replied, insisting that oral court orders are still to be obeyed unless reversed.
Legal Debate Over Jurisdiction Outside U.S. Airspace
The DOJ also contended that as soon as the aircraft departed U.S. soil, Boasberg’s authority stopped. But the judge dismissed that view, declaring, “The power of this court does not stop at the shoreline or at the edge of the airspace.”
Government Cites National Security, Withholds Details
When pushed for more information regarding the deportation operation, DOJ officials cited national security interests and refused to reveal important details to the court. This only increased Boasberg’s frustration. “Why are you here without answers?” he asked.
Judge Demands Answers and Further Legal Briefs
In ending the session, Boasberg imposed a hard deadline on the administration: by noon Tuesday, they need to submit information regarding the deportees, the timing of Trump’s proclamation, and details of the flights. He also asked for additional legal briefs to be filed.
Ending the session with a stinging observation, Boasberg said, “My oral orders don’t seem to carry much weight,” suggesting the government had gone out of its way to avoid judicial authority. This development has drawn significant attention in world news.
