The Department of Justice under President Trump has sharply criticized federal judges for what it described as excessive micromanagement in a high-profile immigration case, requesting additional time to respond to a set of court-ordered questions. The case centers on the administration’s controversial move to invoke the Alien Enemies Act in its crackdown on the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
Government attorneys argued that the five questions posed by the court overstep judicial authority and interfere with the executive branch’s constitutional responsibility to enforce immigration law and protect national security. In its filing, the DOJ accused the court of engaging in “digressive micromanagement” that threatens to undermine the administration’s efforts to deport dangerous individuals connected to transnational crime.
The legal battle follows a federal judge’s order temporarily blocking some deportation flights of suspected gang members. In response, the DOJ insisted that judges should not dictate the operational decisions of federal agencies tasked with immigration enforcement, especially in cases involving public safety threats.
Justice officials requested an extension to ensure thorough responses while reaffirming the administration’s stance that the Alien Enemies Act remains a lawful and necessary tool to remove individuals deemed a security risk. The ongoing dispute highlights the growing tension between the judiciary and the executive branch as the administration pushes forward with its aggressive deportation agenda.
The DOJ maintained that it would continue defending the administration’s policies and stressed that protecting American communities from violent criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua remains a top priority.