Federal judge opens proceedings over administration’s use of wartime act to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members
A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that there was probable cause to hold Trump officials in contempt for violating his temporary injunction that barred the use of the Alien Enemies Act wartime power to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members.
US district judge James Boasberg warned he could refer the matter for prosecution if the administration does not “purge” its contempt. Boasberg said the administration could avoid this by returning people sent to the notorious Cecot prison in El Salvador in violation of his order so that they “might avail themselves of their right to challenge their removability”.