Muk Choi Lau’s attorneys argue he was entitled to be admitted to the country because he hadn’t yet been convicted.
The Southern Poverty Law Center faces federal fraud charges and is accused of improperly raising millions to finance paid informants in extremist groups.
Undersecretary Hung Cao will assume Phelan’s duties, the Pentagon said.
CENTCOM denied media reports of vessels evading the blockade.

As of March 20, the automaker was aware of three warranty claims: one involving a reported fire and two others involving smoke or burn evidence.
This special premiere showcases “UNBROKEN: The Untold Story of Shen Yun,” directed by Fiona Young.
The new policy follows an earlier cellphone ban as the district seeks balance between technology use and student well-being.
Six people were charged in connection to the alleged scheme connected to Africa, authorities reported.
The law firm told a federal judge that a motion contained inaccurate citations and other mistakes linked in part to AI hallucinations.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer previewed Wednesday’s ‘vote-a-rama’ strategy as Republicans push toward final passage of the $70 billion package.
The ruling halts five federal measures that tightened permitting and slowed wind and solar projects, with the court saying the plaintiffs will likely succeed.
The Emirati ambassador to the United States said his country is ‘one of the world’s most financially resilient economies.’
Two environmental groups, Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, joined the Miccosukee Tribe in challenging the construction.
The auditor only looked at the underlying citizenship documentation of 58 of the more than 200,000 applications.
‘If the reports are accurate, these deaths and disappearances may represent a grave threat to U.S. national security,’ the committee chair said.
Administration officials are negotiating with Iranian counterparts in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The drugs include antidepressants and beta-blockers.
It comes as Blue Origin continues to make progress on its lunar lander development.
‘The CCP is a huge threat,’ Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said.
Women designated at average risk for breast cancer and aged 50 to 74 should receive biennial screening mammography, the group recommends.