The Justice Department is contesting Judge Boasberg’s request for detailed information on deportation flights to El Salvador, claiming it infringes on executive powers. The judge ordered the administration to respond by a specified deadline, amidst allegations that the administration did not comply with his initial orders. The case reflects broader tensions between judicial oversight and executive authority in matters of national security and immigration policy.
A recent legal disagreement has emerged between the Justice Department and a federal judge regarding deportation flights to El Salvador. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized judges for acting as “partisan activists” and impeding the administration’s objectives, particularly those related to deportations.
The conflict centers on U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg’s request for detailed information on deportation flights. Specifically, he sought to understand the timing of the flights and the number of individuals deported under President Trump’s proclamation, which utilized a controversial 18th-century wartime declaration.
In court documents, the Justice Department argued that Boasberg’s demands infringe on the executive branch’s authority, particularly concerning national security and foreign policy. They indicated potential invocation of the “state secrets privilege” to withhold requested information, stating the judge’s inquiries reflected a misconception of the balance of power between the branches of government.
Boasberg, nominated by former President Barack Obama, has mandated the Trump administration to respond by Thursday at 12 p.m. EDT, emphasizing the necessity of this information to confirm whether the government adhered to his orders against deportation flights. The judge also noted that previous public disclosures by the administration about these flights undermined claims regarding state secrecy.
Invoking the Alien Enemies Act, which has been rarely employed in U.S. history, Trump asserts an invasion by Venezuelan gang members, directing the administration to halt deportations based on this premise. However, following Boasberg’s order, deportees arrived in El Salvador, which sparked a social media response from the country’s president, indicating awareness of the judicial order after the fact.
The administration has since reported that two planes departed before Boasberg’s order was issued, with a third plane allegedly carrying no individuals deported under the controversial law. During an informal briefing, Leavitt confirmed that approximately 261 individuals were deported, with 137 being deported under the Alien Enemies Act.
In summation, the ongoing legal dispute between the Justice Department and Judge Boasberg highlights tensions in the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches. The situation revolves around the administration’s use of a historical law for deportations during a perceived state of emergency, and whether the court’s demand for information violates executive authority. This case demonstrates the intricate dynamics involved in immigration policy and judicial oversight.
Original Source: apnews.com
