Opening Arguments Trump Puts the “Pervert” in Perversion of Justice
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Apr 17, 2026 
Matt Cameron, an immigration attorney and recurring legal analyst, breaks down ICE courthouse arrest controversies and DOJ courtroom missteps. He explains the D.C. Circuit’s handling of contempt proceedings tied to deportations. He also walks through DOJ motions affecting high-profile January 6 prosecutions and the Fifth Circuit’s surprising ruling on home distilling.
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ICE Policy Excludes Immigration Courts
- ICE's sensitive-locations policy excludes immigration courts, so DOJ's earlier statement that courthouse arrests applied to immigration courts was incorrect.
- Matt Cameron cites a May 27, 2025 ICE email clarifying the policy excludes Executive Office for Immigration Review, meaning immigration court arrests are a distinct, newer practice.
Immigration Court Arrests Have Unique Consequences
- Arrests in immigration court are especially harmful because failing to appear there triggers automatic removal.
- Cameron notes ICE targeted immigration courts to find people who must appear, using arrests to scare or catch them on the spot.
D.C. Circuit Blocks Boasberg Contempt Proceedings
- Judge Boasberg sought contempt proceedings over flights that deported people despite his order, but the D.C. Circuit limited his authority citing separation of powers and national security.
- The panel blocked bringing DOJ officials to testify and ordered termination of contempt probes, provoking a passionate dissent from Judge Childs.