(NewsNation) — District Judge James E. Boasberg — whose order was potentially violated when the Trump administration carried out deportation flights to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act — is demanding the Justice Department hand over all information about the flights by noon on Tuesday.
The administration invoked the 18th-century wartime law to carry out deportations of more than 250 alleged Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gang members last weekend, despite Boasberg’s temporary block on the removals.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that Trump “is using every lever of his executive authority and his constitutional authority within the bounds of the immigration laws of our country to ensure that our streets are safer for law-abiding American citizens.”
Trump’s use of Alien Enemies Act could face lengthy legal fight
In a contentious court hearing Monday, Boasberg scolded the DOJ for not turning the planes carrying the alleged gang members around despite being ordered to do so during a virtual hearing Saturday.
The DOJ refused to share much information, citing national security reasons, and said no planes departed after the written order was filed. The judge said his verbal order should have been enough to ground the planes.
“I’m just asking how you think my equitable powers do not attach to a plane that has departed the U.S., even if it’s in international airspace,” Boasberg said.
Members of Mexico’s National Guard killed in cartel ambush
The Trump team has described the Tren de Aragua gang as an invading force conducting irregular warfare, but the American Civil Liberties Union — which filed a lawsuit Saturday — has raised concerns that some of those deported might not actually be gang members.
“At this point, it seems like the administration is simply walking into court and telling a federal court they can’t look at the evidence, they can’t stop what they’re doing,” said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s immigrants’ rights project.
“We see constant public statements from administration officials criticizing federal judges, saying they don’t have authority,” Gelernt said. “I think we’re on dangerous ground here in the United States.”
Trump administration resumes immigrant family detentions
According to a social media post from Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, the country has agreed to hold 238 Venezuelans in its “terrorism confinement center.” They are scheduled to stay for at least one year under an agreement between the U.S. and El Salvador worth $6 million, according to the Associated Press.
The president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez, has slammed Trump’s actions, saying the Venezuelans deported to El Salvador were denied due process and that the country will do everything it can to have them returned home.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
