The White House denied violating a judge’s order by deporting around 250 Venezuelan alleged gang members to El Salvador. However, the administration’s border czar appeared to contradict this on Monday, saying, “I don’t care what the judges think.” A federal judge, James E. Boasberg, has scheduled a hearing to demand an explanation after his order temporarily blocking the deportations was seemingly ignored.

The Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 wartime law, to justify the removals. The judge issued a verbal directive on Saturday ordering that any flights already in the air be turned around. Despite this, El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, later confirmed the planes had landed, posting mockingly on social media, “Oopsie … too late.”

White House officials insist the migrants were no longer in U.S. territory when the order was given, arguing it did not apply. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration “did not ‘refuse to comply’” and that the order had “no lawful basis.” Other officials echoed claims that the ruling came too late, as the planes were already outside U.S. airspace.

In court filings, the administration argued the judge’s verbal order was “not enforceable.” ABC News reported that flights took off during the hearing, citing “operational” and “national security” reasons for completing the deportations. When asked about the controversy, Trump responded, “I don’t know, you have to speak to the lawyers about that,” but added, “These were bad people.” The administration claimed “some” Venezuelans had been removed before the ruling but provided no details.

Legal experts argue that the government’s claim—that deportations were lawful due to the planes being over international waters—is flawed. Georgetown law professor Steve Vladeck stated that “a federal court’s jurisdiction does not stop at the water’s edge” and that the administration violated at least the “spirit” of the ruling. Cardozo Law School professor Peter Markowitz also said the government “most certainly” violated the judge’s order.

Democratic senators, including Alex Padilla and Cory Booker, condemned Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, stating, “We are not at war, and immigrants are not invading our country.” Rights groups have demanded the administration disclose whether additional flights took off after the judge’s order.

The deportations highlight growing concerns about the Trump administration defying court orders, particularly after reports that Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese professor at Brown University, was deported in violation of a judge’s ruling. El Salvador has agreed to detain the Venezuelans in its high-security prison, Cecot, as part of a U.S.-funded deal. Critics, including human rights activists, warn that the prison’s conditions are inhumane and that many of the deported individuals had not been convicted of crimes.