Despite a judge’s order and the State Department’s condemnation of Libya’s “life-threatening” prison conditions, the Trump administration plans to deport immigrants there, possibly as early as this week. This action follows a federal judge’s ruling against such deportations, which Libya’s government has also rejected. Human rights groups strongly denounce the plan, citing widespread reports of torture, rape, and slavery in Libyan detention facilities. The deportations are part of a broader Trump administration strategy to deport migrants to third-party countries.
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Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has decried President Trump’s disregard for court orders and due process in handling migrant deportations, characterizing it as a dangerous threat to American democracy. This defiance, particularly evidenced by the deportation of Venezuelan asylum seeker Andry José Hernández Romero despite a court order, highlights a critical test of the nation’s commitment to the rule of law. Multiple court rulings against the Trump administration’s actions have been met with noncompliance, including the refusal to return wrongfully deported individuals. Buttigieg’s comments follow recent court orders and legal battles surrounding the administration’s controversial use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
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A federal judge sharply questioned a Trump administration lawyer regarding the administration’s alleged disregard of an oral court order halting migrant deportations to El Salvador. The lawyer, claiming only written orders are binding, argued the administration complied with the subsequent written order, despite acknowledging non-compliance with the prior oral directive. The judge expressed astonishment at the administration’s invocation of national security concerns to justify withholding information, even from the court. Consequently, the judge ordered sworn declarations detailing the events and reasons for the secrecy.
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John Q. Hosedrinker