Washington, D.C. – A U.S. District Court Judge found the Trump administration in potential criminal contempt on Wednesday for violating a court order to halt deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. The ruling by Judge James Boasberg comes in response to the administration’s invocation of the Act to target members of a Venezuelan prison gang known as Tren de Aragua, which President Trump claims is invading the United States.

Following the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, several planeloads of alleged gang members were deported to El Salvador. Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order to halt these deportations, but the flights proceeded regardless. The Justice Department argued that the judge had overstepped his authority by interfering in foreign policy matters, but Boasberg disagreed, stating that individuals were deported before they had a chance to contest their removal in court.

Boasberg’s ruling emphasized the government’s disregard for the court order, leading him to consider criminal contempt charges. The government has until April 23 to respond and rectify its actions, or provide the names of those responsible for defying the court order to halt deportations. Failure to comply could result in prosecution for criminal contempt, which carries potential fines or prison sentences.

In a related development, the Supreme Court weighed in on the case, indicating that the suits filed by the ACLU and Democracy Forward should have been brought in a different court under a different statute. However, the Court did not address the constitutionality of Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act or the due process rights of those deported under the Act.

Boasberg reiterated the importance of upholding judicial orders and condemned willful disobedience, particularly by officials who have sworn to uphold the Constitution. Democracy Forward, one of the organizations challenging the deportations, pledged to continue advocating for due process and fighting against what they consider unlawful government actions.

The ongoing legal battle underscores the complexities of immigration enforcement and the need to balance security concerns with respect for individual rights. As the case unfolds, the implications of the Trump administration’s interpretation and application of the Alien Enemies Act continue to draw scrutiny and debate in legal and civil rights circles.