The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit reversed a contempt order issued by District Judge James Boasberg concerning the Trump administration’s expedited deportations of Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act.
The three-judge panel vacated the lower court’s finding, representing a key victory for the administration.
Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao, appointed by President Trump during his first term, formed the majority.
Judge Cornelia Pillard, appointed by former President Barack Obama, dissented.
The ruling questioned Judge Boasberg’s authority to hold Trump administration officials in contempt for continuing deportations of illegal immigrants, despite his emergency order to halt them, The Gateway Pundit reports.
The dispute arose from the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to fast-track removal of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which U.S. officials say is involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling and extortion.
Thousands were deported, with many sent to El Salvador’s maximum-security CECOT facility.
A group of Venezuelan nationals filed a lawsuit, arguing that their deportations violated their rights under federal immigration law and international protections and sought immediate relief from the court.
Their attorneys sought an emergency injunction to halt removals until visa applications under the U-visa program, aimed at protecting cooperating immigrants, could be reconsidered, according to CBS News.
Judge Boasberg issued a temporary verbal order suspending deportations and instructed that flights already en route return to the U.S.
However, several deportations occurred before the written order was finalized, prompting the judge to accuse officials of willful defiance.
Boasberg found probable cause for criminal contempt proceedings and threatened to appoint an independent prosecutor if the Justice Department (DOJ) declined to act.
In a 46-page opinion, he argued the administration deliberately ignored the court’s directive, violating the rule of law, per GP.
The administration appealed, arguing the court lacked jurisdiction over immigration enforcement decisions traditionally reserved for the executive branch.
The DOJ maintained the deportations were lawful under the Alien Enemies Act and consistent with federal immigration policies.
The appeals court sided with the administration.
Judge Katsas described the case as an “extraordinary, ongoing confrontation between the Executive and Judicial Branches,” emphasizing courts should not interfere with executive decisions on foreign policy or criminal prosecution, CBS News reports.
Katsas warned affirming the contempt order would set a precedent allowing courts to micromanage immigration enforcement, infringing on executive authority.
“The government is plainly correct about the merits of the criminal contempt,” he wrote, underscoring the separation of powers.
Judge Pillard dissented, arguing courts must enforce compliance with their orders to preserve judicial authority. She warned ignoring court directives would undermine the rule of law and accountability.
Following the deportations, 252 Venezuelan nationals were repatriated to Venezuela under a prisoner transfer agreement between El Salvador and Venezuela, adding diplomatic complexity.
The case highlights continuing tensions between the Trump administration and the federal judiciary over immigration enforcement.
President Trump has publicly called for Judge Boasberg’s impeachment, and the DOJ filed a misconduct complaint related to the judge’s conduct during a Judicial Conference meeting earlier this year.
