Immigration Enforcement and Courts

Citing a D.C. Circuit opinion, Judge James Boasberg ordered all officials involved in the mid‑March deportation flights to submit sworn declarations by Dec. 5 as he resumes a contempt investigation into why planes carrying Venezuelan detainees were transferred to El Salvador rather than being returned after his oral “turn around” directive. DOJ filings say DHS Secretary Kristi Noem made the final decision to allow the transfers after legal advice from Deputy AG Todd Blanche and Principal Associate DAG Emil Bove conveyed through Acting DHS General Counsel Joseph Mazzara, argue the oral directive was nonbinding and therefore no violation occurred, and oppose live testimony even as plaintiffs seek witnesses including whistleblower Erez Reuveni.