Public remarks from President Donald Trump and his team are once again disrupting the Justice Department’s defense of deportation policies in court.
A federal judge, James Boasberg, focused on Trump’s recent TV interview claim that he could convince El Salvador to return a deported man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, to the U.S. with a phone call.
Legal Position Undermined
Boasberg highlighted the contradiction between Trump’s claim and the administration’s stance on returning deported immigrants, challenging the credibility of the President’s assertion.
The Justice Department attorney, Abhishek Kambli, found himself in a delicate position when pressed on this matter.
Constructive Custody Debate
The judge is exploring whether the U.S. retains custody of Venezuelan immigrants deported to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act invoked by Trump. Boasberg seeks an expedited inquiry to determine the situation.
He requests sworn statements from officials to clarify the legal status of these immigrants and the government’s ties with El Salvador.
Prison Visit Query
Boasberg questioned Kambli about Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit to the Salvadoran prison housing the deportees. Noem’s statements on the facility’s role raised doubts that Kambli struggled to address.
Payment for Housing
The discussion delved into whether the U.S. is funding El Salvador for detaining deported individuals. Kambli acknowledged U.S. grants for law enforcement purposes that could be used for housing deportees.
Judicial Authority Clarification
Boasberg assesses his jurisdiction over ongoing litigation on the El Salvador deportations. Despite initial blocks being overturned, questions remain on the propriety of Trump’s actions under the Alien Enemies Act.
The hearing also highlighted misrepresentations of the Supreme Court’s rulings by Trump allies, with district court judgments contradicting the administration’s claims.
