WASHINGTON — A federal judge ordered President Trump to stop deporting planeloads of foreign aliens immediately– until the legality of the deportations could be ascertained. Judge James Boasberg issued the order at an emergency Saturday hearing as two planes were being loaded to fly an estimated 249 detainees to El Salvador. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency had labeled the detainees as members of a Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua. Background: ICE has been overzealous in many of 32,000 arrests of immigrants since Trump became president in January. There have been gestapo-like sweeps, racial profiling, and secretive imprisonments. Judge Boasberg’s order was to delay deportations for 15 days so the courts can sort through ICE practices under Trump. The judge said his temporary restraining order would cause no harm to the country. The detainees, the judge said would remain in custody.
Earlier: Trump eyes Prairie du Chien as anti-migrant prop
Earlier: Venezuelan silent on Prairie du Chien sex charge
Earlier: Trump doubles down to stir immigration paranoia
Earlier: Trump eyes Prairie du Chien as anti-migrant prop
Earlier: Vance: Migrants causing Wisconsin health crisis
Earlier: Suspected Venezuela terrorist surfaces in Wisconsin
Boesberg. Chief judge, U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. On bench since 2002. Earlier with the U.S. Alien Terrorist Rights Court. Before that with the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Verbatim
Judge: “You shall inform your clients of this immediately any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States. However that’s accomplished, turning around the plane, or not embarking anyone on the plane. This is something that you need to make sure is complied with immediately.”
Wisconsin detainee
Unknown was whether a Venezuelan arrested in Prairie du Chien in September was among the detainees to be deported to El Salvador. Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, 26, was arrested on sex charges. Several nations have refused to accept U.S. deportees because of doubts about rough-shod ICE practices under Trump. El Salvador, however, acceded to Trump pressure.