Judge Boasberg Finds Probable Cause to Hold Gov’t in Contempt in Deportations Case

The Supreme Court vacated the order and said the lawsuit was brought in the wrong court.

District Judge James Boasberg, chief judge of the District Court for the District of Columbia, stands for a portrait at E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington on March 16, 2023. Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via AP

District Judge James Boasberg has issued an opinion stating that he has found probable cause that the federal government was in criminal contempt by refusing to comply with his order prohibiting certain deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.

“The Court ultimately determines that the Government’s actions ... demonstrate a willful disregard for its Order, sufficient for the Court to conclude that probable cause exists to find the Government in criminal contempt,” Boasberg said in an April 16 opinion.