Federal Appeals Court Blocks Judge’s Plan in Deportation Flight Dispute

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A federal appeals panel has overturned a lower court’s move to investigate whether officials in the Trump administration committed criminal contempt over deportation flights involving Venezuelan migrants sent to El Salvador. The decision halts a process initiated earlier this year by United States District Judge James E. Boasberg, who in April concluded there was probable cause to believe administration officials had disregarded his order to recall the flights.

Judge Boasberg’s ruling stemmed from a dispute regarding compliance with his earlier directive, which temporarily stopped the transportation of certain migrants. He found that there were indications government officials had proceeded with the flights despite the halt order. This raised the possibility of a contempt hearing that could have led to further legal action against the administration. By overturning the judge’s plan, the appeals panel has ended the immediate legal challenge on this matter, effectively shielding the administration from that particular proceeding.

In a separate but related area of policy, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed ongoing security cooperation with the United States following President Donald Trump’s recent directive to the Department of Defense (DoD) to take action against drug cartels designated by the U.S. government as terrorist organizations. Speaking in response to questions about the plan, President Sheinbaum said Mexico would “collaborate” with the United States in efforts to dismantle cartel operations. However, she made it clear that no United States military forces would be permitted to operate within Mexican territory, underscoring her administration’s position on preserving national sovereignty while engaging in joint security efforts.

Also on the administration’s agenda is a White House-hosted peace summit scheduled for Friday, where President Trump will welcome leaders from Azerbaijan and Armenia. The two South Caucasus countries have conflicted for decades over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, a territory that has been at the center of repeated clashes and ceasefire agreements. The summit is being framed as an opportunity to encourage direct dialogue between the two sides and to seek ways to reduce long-standing hostilities.

These developments show the administration’s active engagement on multiple fronts, domestically in legal disputes over immigration enforcement, regionally in working with neighboring countries on security issues, and internationally in mediating long-running geopolitical conflicts. The appeals court decision represents a notable legal victory for the administration, removing a significant challenge linked to deportation operations.

Meanwhile, the White House’s diplomatic efforts with Armenia and Azerbaijan will test its ability to act as a mediator in one of the world’s most enduring territorial disputes. Combined with Mexico’s stated willingness to cooperate on countering drug cartels within the limits of its sovereignty, the administration’s current actions reflect a focus on both security and diplomacy, aiming to navigate complex challenges at home and abroad.