A federal judge, appointed by Trump, held the administration in contempt for deporting a young asylum seeker. This deportation violated three separate court orders protecting the individual. The judge, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher, has now found the administration in contempt twice in this class-action case. The orders were issued in November 2024, April 2025, and July 2026. The 19-year-old asylum seeker, identified as E.L.A., was deported to El Salvador despite these judicial protections. The government had previously acknowledged communication errors led to his erroneous removal. Judge Gallagher has ordered the government to return E.L.A. to the United States. She also mandated the return of his property and documents. Furthermore, the government is prohibited from executing any final removal order until a final asylum determination is made or the settlement expires. This class-action lawsuit originated in 2019, challenging a USCIS policy that restricted asylum applications for young asylum seekers. The court has requested an update by October 2 on E.L.A.'s desire to return and the plans for his repatriation.