US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem's decision to continue deporting Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador, despite a federal judge's directive to return them to the United States, was made at her own behest, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.
The department claimed that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove provided legal advice to Secretary Noem, advising her that detainees who had been removed from the US before the judge's order could be transferred to El Salvador. Following this guidance, Noem directed that these individuals be sent to the Central American country.
The Justice Department argued that its decision was lawful and aligned with a reasonable interpretation of the court's order. However, the department refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing or contempt by the administration, claiming that the written order did not require the return of already-departed detainees and that the earlier oral directive was not a binding injunction.
A US district judge, James Boasberg, had recently resumed his investigation into whether the Trump administration violated his March orders to halt the deportation flights. The White House had initially claimed that the ruling did not apply to planes already in flight, allowing them to continue with deportations.
In a twist, the Venezuelan nationals were later repatriated to Venezuela in July as part of a deal between the US and Venezuelan governments. Despite this, the decision by Noem and the Department of Justice to continue the deportation flights remains contentious, with many questioning the administration's actions and potential disregard for federal law.
The department claimed that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove provided legal advice to Secretary Noem, advising her that detainees who had been removed from the US before the judge's order could be transferred to El Salvador. Following this guidance, Noem directed that these individuals be sent to the Central American country.
The Justice Department argued that its decision was lawful and aligned with a reasonable interpretation of the court's order. However, the department refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing or contempt by the administration, claiming that the written order did not require the return of already-departed detainees and that the earlier oral directive was not a binding injunction.
A US district judge, James Boasberg, had recently resumed his investigation into whether the Trump administration violated his March orders to halt the deportation flights. The White House had initially claimed that the ruling did not apply to planes already in flight, allowing them to continue with deportations.
In a twist, the Venezuelan nationals were later repatriated to Venezuela in July as part of a deal between the US and Venezuelan governments. Despite this, the decision by Noem and the Department of Justice to continue the deportation flights remains contentious, with many questioning the administration's actions and potential disregard for federal law.
... Like, if a judge orders something, doesn't that mean it's gotta be done? And why did they just ignore the court's order in the first place? 
I mean, I get that people want to deport these guys back to Venezuela or whatever, but can't we just follow the rules for once? 
It's not like this is the first time someone's tried to pull a fast one on a judge...
. It seems like a big mess, right? I mean, who decides that deporting people back to El Salvador is okay when a judge specifically said they had to come back to the US first? And then later, they change their minds and send them back to Venezuela? What's the logic behind all this?
. It seems like she went around a court order just 'cause she said so 
. Newsflash, SecNoem: the rule of law isn't just for show 
. I get that deportations need to happen, but can't we find a way to do it without defying the law? 
. It's like, what's next? Flying them directly into El Salvador and saying "good luck with that"? 
I just hope the judge's investigation clears up some things, because right now it's all shady 
#JusticeForVenezuelaImmigrants #FollowTheLaw #NoMoreDeportationShenanigans
I get that she wants to enforce laws, but come on, can't we follow due process? 
This whole thing just feels so... shady 
.
, they were supposed to be returned home in July but ended up being sent back to El Salvador... it doesn't add up 
.
. I mean, I get that there might be some legal nuances to navigate, but come on! The judge made it clear what needed to happen, and now Noem's just thumbing her nose at the law 
The fact that Secretary Noem made a decision without consulting the federal judge's order raises questions about her motives. What's more concerning is that she claimed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove provided legal advice, which might be used to justify her actions in the future. This whole situation reeks of a lack of accountability 
.
. But come on, can't we have some common sense in this situation? 
. The fact that they're just doing it because someone told them to is sketchy 
I mean i know the US has a lot of problems, but this deporting people to El Salvador is like super sketchy... what if they dont have good healthcare or food over there? 
. I guess that's why it's so important for independent media outlets to keep an eye on things, right? 
and btw, why would they even need a lawyer to tell them that deporting people already in flight isn't cool? did they really think we'd just go along with this? 
and now they're saying it was all about "reasonable interpretation" of the law 
I mean, what if it was all just a smokescreen to distract us from somethin' bigger? The repatriation thing later is just weird too... how many people were actually send to Venezuela and who knows why. This whole thing reeks of cover-up, you feel me?