U.S. District Judge James Boasberg on Tuesday demanded detailed information from the Trump administration regarding two deportation flights that departed this past weekend, despite his temporary halt on deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The judge ordered the Justice Department to provide specifics about the flights, which landed in El Salvador, raising further questions about the administration’s adherence to his ruling.
The case centers on President Donald Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to justify deporting alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. This law, which dates back to 1798, was used by the Trump administration to classify these individuals as enemies of the state and initiate their removal from the U.S. without final immigration court orders. Judge Boasberg imposed a two-week freeze on these deportations, arguing that the law did not provide a valid basis for Trump’s claim that Tren de Aragua posed an act of war against the United States.
However, despite the court’s order, two flights left U.S. airspace over the weekend, fueling concerns about the Trump administration’s expanding use of executive powers and its potential clash with the judiciary. The Justice Department argued that the flights departed before the judge’s written order, issued at 7:25 p.m. EDT, and that prior verbal orders made in court were not enforceable. This explanation, however, did not satisfy Judge Boasberg, prompting him to demand precise details about the flights, including takeoff times, flight paths, and the number of people deported under the Alien Enemies Act.
As the legal battle unfolds, the Trump administration continues to assert that the deportations are justified by national security concerns, while critics argue that the use of such an old law to target foreign nationals is unconstitutional and unjust. The case is now poised to test the limits of executive power and the balance of authority between the judiciary and the executive branch.
The incident has sparked outrage in Venezuela, with government officials calling the deportations illegal. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez condemned the move, stating that the rights of the deported individuals were violated. Family members of deported Venezuelans are also voicing their concerns, struggling to find information on their loved ones’ whereabouts after being sent to El Salvador.
The controversy surrounding this case also led to an unusual call for impeachment. President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, called for Judge Boasberg’s impeachment, a rare move that sparked a rebuke from U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts. Roberts emphasized that disagreement with a judicial decision should not lead to calls for impeachment, asserting that the proper avenue for challenging judicial rulings is through the appellate process.
The developments are being closely watched as they raise critical questions about the limits of presidential authority, the role of the courts, and the rights of individuals facing deportation. As the situation continues to evolve, it is clear that this case will have significant implications for U.S. immigration policy and the broader legal landscape.
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