ACLU Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Deportations to El Salvador
The ACLU sued the Trump administration over the illegal deportation of over 200 individuals to El Salvador, claiming violations of a federal judge’s order. The White House maintained that all deportees were gang members. Critics emphasize the lack of due process, referencing historical mishaps during previous deportations of alleged gang members.
On Monday, two organizations filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the deportation of over 200 individuals to El Salvador. They allege that this action was illegal and blatantly ignored a federal judge’s order to return the detainees to the United States for due process. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele shared videos showing men being restrained and taken to a high-security prison where they received shaven heads.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that 137 of the 261 deported migrants were removed under the Alien Enemies Act. Among these were 101 Venezuelans processed through Title 8 regulations, along with 23 alleged MS-13 gang members, including two ringleaders. Leavitt noted President Bukele’s gratitude for their return, asserting that all deportees were confirmed gang members.
Francisco Ugarte, from the SF Public Defenders Office’s immigration unit, expressed alarm over the lack of evidence for the deportations. He emphasized that every American should feel uneasy about such actions being taken without due process.
The Alien Enemies Act permits deportation when the U.S. is at war or facing an invasion. Ugarte criticized the Trump administration’s characterization of certain criminal organizations as quasi-states, which he argues misuses this wartime measure. The ACLU and Democracy Forward’s lawsuit asserts that two planes had already left the country when the federal judge issued a restraining order, with a third taking off subsequently, marking a violation of judicial authority.
Venezuelan officials condemned the deportations as acts of kidnapping, while the Trump administration argued the planes had entered international airspace. Catherine Seitz, from the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, expressed concern for the due process denied to the deported individuals and highlighted previous instances where wrongful deportations were based on insufficient legal grounds, reiterating the importance of due process.
The ACLU and Democracy Forward’s lawsuit against the Trump administration highlights critical concerns regarding the legality of recent deportations to El Salvador and the apparent disregard for judicial orders. The invocation of the Alien Enemies Act raises important legal questions about due process and the treatment of migrants accused of gang affiliation. Moving forward, the implications of these actions may significantly impact immigration policies and the rights of those affected.
Original Source: www.ktvu.com
