US judge holds Department of Homeland Security in contempt for deporting asylum-seeker to El Salvador twice

A federal judge in the United States found the Department of Homeland Security in contempt for deporting an asylum-seeker, E.L.A., to El Salvador twice, violating court orders. Judge Stephanie Gallagher ordered the government to return E.L.A. to the U.S. and stop any further removal until his asylum case is resolved. E.L.A. was first deported in March 2026, returned in August, then deported again. The case stems from a 2019 class-action lawsuit protecting unaccompanied minors' asylum rights. At least 107 protected individuals were removed before their claims were decided. The government must update the court by October 2.