Judge warns Trump administration of contempt over deportations
A federal judge in the US has warned that he may charge the Trump administration with contempt of court for violating his order regarding deportations to El Salvador.
Judge James E. Boasberg stated that he found "probable grounds" to hold the Trump administration guilty of contempt of court and warned that he might refer the matter to the prosecutor's office if it is not "cleared" of the contempt charge.
The judge suggested that the administration could do this by bringing back to the US those who were sent to prison in El Salvador, which was a violation of the court order. This way, they could exercise their right to challenge their deportation.
"The Constitution does not tolerate willful disobedience of judicial orders — especially by officials of a coordinate branch who have sworn an oath to uphold it," the judge wrote.
If the Department of Justice refuses to prosecute this case, Judge Boasberg announced that he would appoint another lawyer to handle the contempt of court case.
The Trump administration admits to the mistake but claims it can do nothing
Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who holds a protected immigration status in the US, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, where he ended up in the brutal CECOT prison.
Abrego Garcia's family filed a lawsuit, demanding that the US request his return.
According to the lawsuit, the government put Mr. Abrego Garcia on a flight to El Salvador without any lawful justification.
The Trump administration argues, however, that since Abrego Garcia is no longer under U.S. jurisdiction, the court cannot issue an order regarding his detention and release.
