Federal Judge James Boasberg has rebuked the Trump administration and ordered an immediate update on deportation flights as tensions rise over transparency in government actions involving Venezuelan deportees.
Trump Administration Under Fire for Dodging Deportation Flight Details, Judge States
Trump Administration Under Fire for Dodging Deportation Flight Details, Judge States
A US federal judge criticizes the Trump administration for failing to disclose relevant deportation flight information regarding Venezuelan gang members.
A federal judge in Washington DC has accused the Trump administration of evading its obligations to provide crucial information concerning the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members. Judge James Boasberg expressed his frustration after the Department of Justice failed to meet a deadline for information regarding flights that deported Venezuelans to El Salvador. The administration's response included a vague six-paragraph declaration from an immigration official, which did not share the requested flight details and suggested that cabinet members were contemplating invoking the state secrets privilege.
In an earlier ruling, Boasberg suspended the deportation flights, only for the White House to confirm that they had already taken off. This led to further scrutiny of the administration's actions, with Boasberg stating that the regional ICE official's testimony on the underlying decisions lacked credibility, as it was based on unverified understandings rather than direct involvement.
The urgency of the situation intensified after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act over the weekend, resulting in the deportation of over 200 individuals linked to the gang Tren del Agua, despite Boasberg's verbal halt on flights. The judge is expected to convene a scheduled hearing on Friday to deliberate the implications of the Act and has required that the Trump administration supply a direct update regarding the decision-making processes behind these deportations.
