Extract from ABC News
The US government has deported hundreds of people to a prison in El Salvador, despite legal challenges. (Salvadoran government via Reuters)
In short:
Officials in Donald Trump's administration could face criminal prosecution for contempt of court, a US judge says, because they have shown "wilful disregard" for an order against deporting alleged gang members to El Salvador.
US District Judge James Boasberg says he has "probable cause" to hold the administration in contempt of court.
The move ups the stakes in the stand-off between the Trump administration and the courts.
A US federal judge has found "probable cause" to hold the Trump administration in contempt of court for violating his previous order to halt deportations of Venezuelan migrants.
US District Judge James Boasberg said the administration demonstrated "wilful disregard" for his March 15 order barring the government from deporting Venezuelan alleged gang members to El Salvador.
The finding could result in officials facing criminal prosecution for not complying with Judge Boasberg's earlier order.
The Trump administration has maintained it was entitled to carry out the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.
When Judge Boasberg issued the order, two planes of Venezuelans were already on their way from the United States to El Salvador.
The planes were not turned around to the United States.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to a mega-prison in El Salvador by the Trump administration. (Supplied: CASA)
On Wednesday, Judge Boasberg said there was probable cause to find officials in the administration in criminal contempt as a result.
"The Court does not reach such conclusion lightly or hastily," he wrote in his ruling.
"Indeed, it has given defendants ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions.
"None of their responses has been satisfactory."
Judge Boasberg said the administration would first have the opportunity to "purge" its contempt before he considers potential criminal prosecution.
"The Constitution does not tolerate wilful disobedience of judicial orders — especially by officials of a coordinate branch who have sworn an oath to uphold it," Judge Boasberg wrote.
The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The El Salvador deportation flights have been subject to an increasing backlash over reports innocent people have ended up mistakenly jailed in a notorious Salvadoran mega-prison.
The administration has refused to free one man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported.
Judge Paula Xinis last week ordered the US government to arrange his return, noting Mr Garcia was a husband and father and had no links to criminal gangs.
The same judge this week said the US government was doing "nothing" to facilitate his return.
During an Oval Office appearance earlier this week, both Donald Trump and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele both insisted there was no way to bring Mr Garcia home.
Mr Trump also said he was open to jailing US citizens in prisons in El Salvador if they had committed crimes, prompting alarm.
Reuters/AP
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