A federal judge in Washington DC has reprimanded the Trump administration for its lack of transparency regarding deportation flights of Venezuelan gang members. Judge James Boasberg has set a new deadline for the government to comply with requests for crucial flight information.
Judge Orders Trump Administration to Disclose Details on Deportation Flights
Judge Orders Trump Administration to Disclose Details on Deportation Flights
US federal judge expresses frustration over the government's failure to provide requested deportation flight information under the Trump administration.
On Thursday, Judge Boasberg criticized justice department lawyers for evading his inquiries about the weekend's deportations of Venezuelans to El Salvador, ordering them to furnish details by a specified deadline. Previously, the administration submitted a declaration from an ICE official, but it failed to deliver the requested information. This declaration noted that cabinet secretaries were contemplating the invocation of a state secrets privilege, a legal construct allowing the government to withhold sensitive national security matters from public disclosure.
Boasberg expressed his frustration over the government's reliance on a regional ICE statement regarding cabinet-level decisions, stating that it lacked substantiation and clarity. He demanded that the Trump administration provide an update from someone directly engaged in the discussions. The judge had previously ordered the cessation of deportation flights, but the White House has stated that the planes had already departed.
This week, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport over 200 Venezuelans, claiming that they were affiliated with the gang Tren del Agua. While Boasberg attempted to halt the flights verbally, he later inquired why the government had not complied with his order on returning any deported individuals currently in flight. He plans to address issues surrounding the use of the Alien Enemies Act further in an upcoming hearing on Friday.
As these developments continue to unfold, critical questions remain surrounding the legality and transparency of the deportation process under the Trump administration.
DeportationFlightsJudgeBoasbergTrumpAdministration
Boasberg expressed his frustration over the government's reliance on a regional ICE statement regarding cabinet-level decisions, stating that it lacked substantiation and clarity. He demanded that the Trump administration provide an update from someone directly engaged in the discussions. The judge had previously ordered the cessation of deportation flights, but the White House has stated that the planes had already departed.
This week, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport over 200 Venezuelans, claiming that they were affiliated with the gang Tren del Agua. While Boasberg attempted to halt the flights verbally, he later inquired why the government had not complied with his order on returning any deported individuals currently in flight. He plans to address issues surrounding the use of the Alien Enemies Act further in an upcoming hearing on Friday.
As these developments continue to unfold, critical questions remain surrounding the legality and transparency of the deportation process under the Trump administration.
DeportationFlightsJudgeBoasbergTrumpAdministration
