Trump administration defies judge’s order and deports hundreds of immigrants
US deports over 250 alleged gang members to El Salvador's mega-prison (Photo: Getty Images)
The administration of Donald Trump deported hundreds of immigrants despite a federal judge’s order temporarily halting the removals, AP News reports. Two flights carrying migrants had already taken off for El Salvador and Honduras before the ruling went into effect.
Two flights carrying migrants had already taken off for El Salvador and Honduras before the ruling went into effect.
US District Judge James Boasberg issued an order on Saturday to temporarily block the deportations, but by that time, two planes were already in the air.
"The judge verbally ordered the planes to turn around, but this was not included in the written ruling," explained Georgetown University Law Professor Steve Vladeck.
The White House denied accusations of violating the court order. "The administration did not ‘refuse to comply’ with a court order. The ruling, which had no lawful basis, was issued after terrorist TdA aliens had already been removed from US territory," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The acronym TdA refers to the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua, which Trump has labeled a national security threat.
Mass deportation Trump promised
These events mark the realization of Trump’s previously announced mass deportation initiative. In January, the White House confirmed that the administration was preparing for "the largest mass deportation operation in American history," which could see thousands of migrants forcibly returned to their home countries.
El Salvador agreed to take in around 300 deportees whom US authorities claim are members of Tren de Aragua. "We sent over 250 members of this gang, and El Salvador has agreed to hold them in very good prisons at a fair price that will also save our taxpayer dollars," stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Recently, Venezuela has also confirmed its willingness to receive its deported citizens. Trump previously announced that his administration had secured an agreement with Caracas to return Venezuelans deemed a security threat by Washington.
However, Judge Boasberg warned that Trump may have exceeded his authority by invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 outside of a congressionally declared war. The temporary deportation ban remains in effect for 14 days, with a final hearing scheduled for Friday.
"Once they’re out of the country, there’s little I could do," the judge emphasized.
