Karoline Leavitt also describes deportations as ‘counter-terrorism operation’ as judge orders officials to explain if they defied court orderWhite House denies violating judge’s order with Venezuela deportationsWhat is the Alien Enemies Act and how is Trump using it?The justice department says that Rasha Alawieh, a kidney specialist working in Rhode Island who was deported to Lebanon despite having a US visa, had “sympathetic” photos and videos of Hezbollah leaders on her phone, according to Politico.Alawieh’s deportation raised concerns because a judge had required 48 hours’ notice before being sent out of the country, and because she was detained despite having a valid visa and a job in the United States. Her lawyers have alleged that Customs and Border Protection ignored that order, and Massachusetts federal judge Leo Sorokin is expected to consider the matter this morning. Continue reading...
In a Trump deportation case, the administration argued a verbal court order is not binding, leading to a judge's incredulity. The Justice Department was ordered to provide details on deportation flights and sought the removal of the presiding judge, who denied a motion to cancel a hearing on the flights. The administration claimed the judge's oral order blocking deportations was unenforceable.