Deportation Flights to El Salvador Continue Despite Judge's Directive, Justice Department Claims.
In a statement released by the Department of Justice, it has been revealed that Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, personally directed the continuation of deportation flights from Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador in March, despite a federal judge's directive that the flights should be returned to the United States.
According to court filings, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove provided DHS with legal advice regarding the court's order, stating that the administration did not violate Judge James Boasberg's March directives. Secretary Noem allegedly directed the transfer of AEA detainees who had been removed from the US before the Court's order to El Salvador.
The Justice Department argued that this decision was lawful and consistent with a reasonable interpretation of the Court's order. However, critics argue that the administration exploited loopholes in the law, invoking the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to deport roughly 250 alleged Venezuelan gang members.
Judge Boasberg recently resumed his inquiry into whether the Trump administration violated his orders to halt deportation flights. The White House had initially claimed that the detainees were no longer in US territory when the order came down and that it did not apply, leading to the flights continuing as planned.
In response to the latest filing, the White House and DHS have yet to comment.
In a statement released by the Department of Justice, it has been revealed that Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, personally directed the continuation of deportation flights from Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador in March, despite a federal judge's directive that the flights should be returned to the United States.
According to court filings, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove provided DHS with legal advice regarding the court's order, stating that the administration did not violate Judge James Boasberg's March directives. Secretary Noem allegedly directed the transfer of AEA detainees who had been removed from the US before the Court's order to El Salvador.
The Justice Department argued that this decision was lawful and consistent with a reasonable interpretation of the Court's order. However, critics argue that the administration exploited loopholes in the law, invoking the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to deport roughly 250 alleged Venezuelan gang members.
Judge Boasberg recently resumed his inquiry into whether the Trump administration violated his orders to halt deportation flights. The White House had initially claimed that the detainees were no longer in US territory when the order came down and that it did not apply, leading to the flights continuing as planned.
In response to the latest filing, the White House and DHS have yet to comment.