The Trump administration deported hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador and Honduras, even after a federal judge issued an order temporarily halting the removals.
The deportations took place under a controversial presidential declaration invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime measure last used during World War II.
U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg ordered the deportations to be stopped on Saturday. However, at the time of the ruling, two flights were already in the air. Though Boasberg verbally directed the planes to turn around, this instruction was not included in his written order, and the flights proceeded.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that the administration defied the court, stating that the order had “no lawful basis” and was issued after the immigrants had already left U.S. soil. The deportations were carried out under President Trump’s declaration that members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang posed a national security threat.
The deportees were flown to El Salvador. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also defended the move, stating that more than 250 alleged members of Tren de Aragua had been transferred to Salvadoran prisons, saving U.S. taxpayers money.
