White House blasts judge for attempting to halt deportation flights to El Salvador: 'No lawful basis'

Fox News - Mar 17th, 2025
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Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has accepted over 261 deportees from the United States, including alleged members of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua, following President Donald Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This act, which allows deportation without a hearing, was used amidst controversy, as U.S. District Judge James Boasberg attempted to halt the deportations. However, the deportation flights had already left U.S. airspace, and the White House insisted there was no refusal to comply with the court order.

The situation underscores a significant diplomatic exchange between the U.S. and El Salvador, with the latter cooperating in accepting deportees of any nationality. The use of the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely invoked law, highlights the Trump administration's aggressive stance on immigration and national security. The incident raises questions about the balance of power between the judiciary and the executive branch concerning foreign affairs and the potential legal implications for future immigration policies.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a timely and engaging account of a controversial issue involving the Trump administration's deportation of alleged gang members to El Salvador. It effectively captures the attention of readers by focusing on high-stakes political actions and their legal challenges. However, the article would benefit from greater balance and transparency, as it predominantly presents the perspectives of the Trump administration and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele without adequately exploring opposing views or providing in-depth legal analysis. The story's accuracy is generally solid, but some claims require further verification and context to ensure precision. By addressing these areas, the article could enhance its impact on public discourse and policy discussions, particularly regarding the balance between security and civil liberties in immigration enforcement.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that are generally consistent with known events, such as the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 by President Trump and the deportation of Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. However, some details require further verification, such as the exact timing of the deportation flights relative to Judge Boasberg's order and the specific legal basis for these actions. The story accurately cites the involvement of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and the Trump administration's response to the federal judge's order. However, the claim that the White House stated the judge's order had "no lawful basis" should be substantiated with legal analysis or expert opinions to ensure precision. Additionally, the numbers of deportees and their categorization need confirmation from official sources to verify their accuracy.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspectives of the Trump administration and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, with minimal representation of opposing views or legal experts who may provide critical analysis of the deportation's legality. While it includes a quote from a White House Press Secretary, there is a lack of balance in presenting the federal judge's reasoning or the legal arguments against the deportations. This omission can lead to a perception of bias, as the article does not fully explore the implications of the judge's order or the potential human rights concerns associated with the deportations.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information that guides the reader through the events described. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a general audience. However, some sections could benefit from additional context or explanation, particularly regarding the legal aspects of the deportations and the implications of the judge's order. Providing more background information on the Alien Enemies Act and its historical context would enhance the reader's understanding of the story.

7
Source quality

The story cites credible sources such as the White House Press Secretary and the President of El Salvador, which lend authority to the claims made. However, the reliance on statements from government officials without corroborating information from independent sources or legal experts may affect the perceived impartiality. The article also references Fox News, a reputable news outlet, but does not provide detailed attribution for some claims, such as the legal rationale behind the deportations or the exact sequence of events, which could enhance the story's credibility.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in explaining the legal context of the Alien Enemies Act and the implications of its invocation. While it mentions the act and its historical usage, there is no detailed explanation of its relevance to the current situation or how it aligns with international law. Additionally, the story does not disclose potential conflicts of interest or biases in the sources quoted, such as the political motivations behind the deportations or the potential impact on U.S.-El Salvador relations. Greater transparency in these areas would help readers better understand the basis for the claims made.

Sources

  1. https://cbsaustin.com/news/nation-world/trump-admin-sends-migrants-to-el-salvador-despite-judge-blocking-deportations-president-donald-trump-tren-de-aragua-venezeulan-government-nayib-bukele-marco-rubio-judge-boasberg-deportation
  2. https://www.axios.com/2025/03/16/trump-white-house-defy-judge-deport-venezuelans
  3. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/el-salvador-takes-hundreds-venezuelan-gang-members-from-us-even-judge-moves-block-deportations
  4. https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/immigration
  5. https://www.foxnews.com/category/person/donald-trump