Overview
- Justice Department lawyers disclosed that Secretary Kristi Noem directed the transfer of detainees to El Salvador after receiving legal advice from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, relayed through DHS acting general counsel Joseph Mazzara.
- The filing also names Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign as the official who conveyed Judge James Boasberg’s oral and written orders to DHS leadership.
- Prosecutors contend the written temporary restraining order did not require returning people already removed and say the earlier oral directive was not a binding injunction.
- Judge Boasberg has restarted his criminal-contempt fact-finding and is considering sworn testimony from current and former officials as well as a whistleblower, with hearings possible as early as December 1.
- Those deported were held for months at El Salvador’s CECOT prison under removals conducted via the Alien Enemies Act and were later repatriated to Venezuela, with human rights groups alleging abuse.