Deporting In Defiance: Trump Continues Deportation Plans Despite Court Order

On Monday, the Trump administration seemingly defied a court order from District Judge James E. Boasberg, who ruled Monday morning that the administration should stop all further deportation flights related to President Trump’s unique invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to combat the notorious Tren de Aragua. The Act has only been used 3 times previously since its passage, all during periods of wartime.

Deputy Associate AG Abhishek Kamblii had argued that the deportations were a matter of “national security” and that the administration had fully complied with the Judge’s ruling. The dispute between the Court and the government is over a fleet of planes which may have departed after the Judge’s verbal decision in court, but before the publication of the Court’s written order, which the government claims is the legally binding order.

The government has said that it will comply without contest should the District Court’s ruling be upheld on appeal. Supporters of the President’s actions argue that they are a necessary step to carry out Trump’s campaign promises surrounding deportations and border security. However, critics, like the ACLU and, apparently, Judge Boasberg himself, aren’t happy.

Boasberg reportedly called the administration’s move a “heck of a stretch” when informed that the planes, which had left U.S. airspace, would no longer be recognized as under his jurisdiction. Lee Gelernt, president of the ACLU which is representing some of the deportees, called the situation “very close to” a “constitutional crisis.”

Inevitably, this dispute will end up being resolved by a higher court, likely the Supreme Court. Until then, it appears that the Trump administration will continue to implement the 1798 law to further their stated fight against Tren de Aragua and their efforts to deport illegal aliens from the United States.