Immigrant rights advocates voiced deep concern on Sunday after the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that she ordered the continued deportation of Venezuelan detainees to El Salvador in defiance of a federal court order halting the flights.

Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Noem insisted she had authority to override the judge’s directive. “The decisions that are made on deportations, where flights go, and when they go are my decision at the Department of Homeland Security,” she said, claiming the moves were necessary to “remove dangerous criminals.”

Her remarks come after Justice Department filings revealed that Noem directed officials to continue transferring detainees to a Salvadoran megaprison even as a judge sought the return of more than 100 Venezuelan asylum-seekers to the United States. The judge’s oral order was ignored, prompting legal experts to warn of a constitutional crisis over the administration’s refusal to comply with judicial oversight.

The deportations stem from President Trump’s sweeping spring executive order invoking the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to mass-expel Venezuelan nationals—one of the most aggressive anti-migrant measures in modern U.S. history. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has challenged the order, arguing that it is unlawful, discriminatory, and violates long-standing protections for people fleeing violence and persecution.

In its latest filing, the DOJ claimed Noem’s direction to continue deportations was “lawful” and reflected a “reasonable interpretation” of the court’s ruling—an argument sharply disputed by civil liberties groups, who say the government simply chose to ignore binding legal instructions.

The migrants deported to El Salvador were later released and returned to Venezuela in a prisoner-swap deal, raising further questions about the humanitarian and legal rationale behind their transfers.

District Judge James Boasberg has already found probable cause to begin contempt proceedings against the administration for defying his orders—proceedings that were paused until an appeals court last week cleared the way for him to move forward.

Advocates say the episode illustrates the dangers of expanding executive power over immigration enforcement. They argue that vulnerable migrants—many escaping political repression, economic collapse, and insecurity in Venezuela—should not be used as pawns in political or diplomatic maneuvering.

As the ACLU’s case continues before Judge Boasberg, immigrant rights organizations warn that ignoring court orders sets a chilling precedent.

“Defying the judiciary to deport people seeking safety is not just unlawful—it’s inhumane,” one advocacy group said in response to Noem’s remarks. “The U.S. has moral and legal obligations to protect those fleeing danger, not send them into harm’s way.” (ILKHA)