Immigration enforcement legal battles; contempt case, Flores, ATRC first use, and new court blocks
Key Questions
What is the contempt case against the Trump administration?
Judges are seeking to revive a contempt case for defying Judge Boasberg's order regarding CECOT deportation flights. A whistleblower complaint highlighted DOJ officials saying 'f— you' to courts, with 174 former judges filing an amicus brief supporting judicial independence.
What is the status of the Flores settlement?
The Trump administration is fighting to scrap the Flores settlement in the 9th Circuit. A judge is considering appointing a special master due to noncompliance and reports of horrific detention conditions like spoiled food and lice.
What new immigration court did the DOJ use?
The DOJ made its first-ever use of the secret Alien Terrorist Removal Court, a dormant and constitutionally questionable tribunal. The judge has ordered additional work in the case.
What was the Fourth Circuit's ruling on pro-Palestinian activists?
The Fourth Circuit rejected the Trump administration's bid to re-implement deportation of pro-Palestinian activists. This adds to a series of court losses on immigration enforcement efforts.
What hearing is upcoming on detention oversight?
A July 31 hearing on oversight is scheduled due to concerns over detention conditions. The judge is evaluating a special master appointment amid allegations of noncompliance.
Judges move to revive contempt case against Trump administration for defying Judge Boasberg's order on CECOT deportation flights. A whistleblower complaint reveals DOJ saying 'f— you' to courts. 174 former judges file amicus brief supporting judicial independence. Trump also fired a court-appointed prosecutor in Seattle within an hour of appointment. Additionally, the DOJ made its first-ever use of the secret Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC), a dormant and constitutionally questionable tribunal, with the judge ordering more work. Separately, Trump admin is fighting to scrap the Flores settlement in the 9th Circuit; a judge is considering a special master due to noncompliance and horrific detention conditions (spoiled food, lice, broken arms). A July 31 hearing on oversight is upcoming. The Fourth Circuit rejected Trump's bid to re-implement deportation of pro-Palestinian activists, adding another court loss on immigration enforcement. The 9th Circuit struck down Trump's mass detention policy in a 2-1 ruling, with a Trump appointee in the majority; likely Supreme Court appeal. The Fifth Circuit ruled that detained noncitizens must receive bond hearings within 90 days, requiring individualized justification, another check on executive power. New: A federal judge acknowledged the Supreme Court's Mullin v. Doe ruling clears the path to end Haiti TPS for ~330K Haitians, a rare immigration win for Trump.