Judge warns Trump administration A judge has warned the Trump administration against violating a stay on its decision to deport hundreds of Venezuelan migrants from the United States.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in Washington said the Trump administration could face consequences if it violates the order. But he gave the government more time to explain the details of the deportations.
The United States recently sent 261 people, including 238 Venezuelans, to El Salvador. Judge Boasberg had temporarily ordered them not to be deported. They were deported despite that order. Venezuela and various human rights groups have criticized the Trump administration’s action.
Judge warns Trump administration The judge’s temporary order has put him at odds with the Trump administration. Republican President Trump called for Boasberg’s impeachment on Tuesday. His call was rebuked by US Chief Justice John Roberts, a rare move. Boasberg, appointed to the federal bench by former Democratic President Barack Obama, issued a temporary restraining order over the weekend to block the Trump administration’s decision to deport hundreds of Venezuelan migrants, accusing them of being members of criminal gangs. Despite the order, several Venezuelans have been sent on three flights to El Salvador, where they are being held.
Boasberg asked when the first two flights departed and landed. He said the information would not be made public. In response, the Trump administration accused him of abuse of power. Boasberg then extended the deadline for the administration to respond.
Judge Boasberg said he was not doing so as part of a show of authority; rather, he was doing so to determine whether the government had deliberately violated the order. And if that is true, Boasberg also raised questions about what the consequences should be. However, he did not elaborate on the possible consequences.
Boasberg, a former attorney general, was appointed as a judge in a local court in Washington, D.C., during the administration of former Republican President George W. Bush. And in 2011, the US Senate finalized Boasberg’s appointment to the federal bench. His appointment was finalized by a vote of 96-0.
Last Friday, Donald Trump ordered the use of the centuries-old Alien Enemies Act, or Alien Enemies Act, to quickly extradite members of the Venezuelan gang group Tren de Aragua. It is known as wartime legislation. The following day, Saturday, James Boasberg ordered a 14-day suspension of the deportation of immigrants from the United States, invoking the 1798 law. He added that the law covers “hostile acts” committed by another country that “are tantamount to war.” Venezuela has criticized the United States for applying wartime laws against its own citizens. In a statement, the country said that the US is “unjustly criminalizing Venezuelan migrants. (It) evokes the terrible memories of slavery and the Nazi concentration camps, which are known as the darkest episodes in the history of humanity.”
Incidentally, the United States signed an agreement with El Salvador last month to hold criminals from other countries who are in the United States in prisons.
