A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to provide detailed information by noon Tuesday regarding deportation flights that sent Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador over the weekend. The directive comes amid legal challenges over whether the administration knowingly defied an earlier court order that temporarily halted removals of Venezuelan migrants under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
During a fact-finding hearing on Monday, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg pressed government attorneys for specifics on the flights, including departure locations, times, and the number of individuals deported solely under Trump’s proclamation. The administration has so far declined to disclose these details in court, citing national security concerns.
The controversy stems from Boasberg’s emergency order issued on Saturday, which blocked deportations for 14 days while the court reviews the legality of the Alien Enemies Act’s application. The law, which grants the president authority to deport foreign nationals from enemy states in wartime, has only been used three times since its passage in 1798, most recently during World War II.
We have sent 2 dangerous top MS-13 leaders plus 21 of its most wanted back to face justice in El Salvador. Also, as promised by @POTUS, we sent over 250 alien enemy members of Tren de Aragua which El Salvador has agreed to hold in their very good jails at a fair price that will…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 16, 2025
Despite the order, at least one flight reportedly carrying more than 200 migrants—including over 130 individuals removed under the Alien Enemies Act—departed U.S. airspace before the ruling was issued. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that the administration intends to appeal, arguing that Boasberg’s order lacks legal standing.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democracy Forward, which filed the lawsuit challenging the deportations, have asked the court to compel the administration to submit sworn declarations verifying the timeline of the flights. The ACLU argues that even if the planes had already taken off, the U.S. maintained custody of the migrants until they were handed over to foreign governments.
Boasberg, an Obama appointee, expressed frustration during Monday’s hearing, questioning whether the administration should have returned the planes to the U.S. rather than proceed with deportations. “My orders don’t seem to carry much weight,” he remarked.
The judge has scheduled another hearing for Friday, when the Trump administration’s motion to vacate the case will be considered. The legal battle over these deportations is expected to escalate, with broader implications for executive authority over immigration policy and national security.
