ACLU Seeks Supreme Court Intervention for Venezuelan Migrants Facing Deportation
On Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called on the U.S. Supreme Court for emergency action to safeguard Venezuelan men in immigration detention who are at risk of rapid deportation due to a proclamation issued by President Donald Trump. This decree invokes the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act (AEA).
Background on the ACLU’s Motion
The legal group contends that the Supreme Court must maintain the existing status quo for individuals contesting their removal under the AEA in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. They argue that these individuals face imminent risk of being expelled from the United States without any notice or the chance to defend themselves, which contradicts a previous court order.
Recent Developments in Immigration Policy
Despite a ruling from District Court Judge James Boasberg that blocked deportations under the AEA, the Trump administration proceeded to send two flights of alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang to a high-security facility in El Salvador known as the Salvadoran Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). Earlier this month, the Supreme Court lifted the previous block but mandated that individuals slated for deportation must be notified beforehand and allowed to contest their removal, without specifying a required timeline for these procedures.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The ACLU’s urgent motion was prompted by recent notices given to Venezuelan migrants held at the Bluebonnet Detention Facility in Anson, Texas, indicating their removal. The petition, submitted to Justice Samuel Alito, emphasizes that several individuals were already in transit to the airport when they received these notices, and notes reports about imminent military deportation flights being prepared.
Emergency Hearing and Court Responses
Judge Boasberg convened an emergency hearing on Friday evening. According to reports from Politico’s Josh Gerstein, a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney, Drew Ensign, assured the court that no AEA deportations were scheduled for that night, and the individuals involved were uncertain about plans for the following day. However, after a recess, Ensign clarified that while he had received assurances from the Department of Homeland Security that deportations were not planned for Saturday, they maintained the right to proceed with removals at any time.
Further Court Actions
This week, Judge Boasberg expressed concern that the actions taken by the Trump administration regarding migrants sent to CECOT reflected a blatant disregard for his court order, warranting a conclusion of probable cause for criminal contempt against the government.
Following these developments, a panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. issued an administrative stay on the judge’s contempt proceedings, adding yet another layer of complexity to an already tense situation.
Conclusion
As the legal process unfolds, the status of Venezuelan migrants facing removal remains precarious, with the ACLU and other advocates urging the courts to protect their rights in the face of rapid deportation efforts.
