The ACLU and Democracy Forward have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding the illegal deportation of over 200 individuals to El Salvador, arguing it violated a federal judge’s order for due process. Concerns arise over the use of the Alien Enemies Act and the treatment of deportees, as several were sent to prison under questionable circumstances.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democracy Forward have initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration, asserting that the recent deportation of over 200 individuals to El Salvador was unlawful. This action is alleged to contravene a federal judge’s order that mandated the planes return to the United States to allow for due process for the deportees.
El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, shared footage depicting the deported individuals being escorted from planes in restraints and transported to a high-security prison. The footage also displayed the shaving of the men’s heads and beards, raising concerns regarding their treatment.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt noted that of the 261 migrants deported, 137 were processed under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, while others included Venezuelans and MS-13 gang members. President Bukele expressed his gratitude for the return of these individuals, according to Leavitt, who emphasized that all deportees were allegedly affiliated with gangs.
Francisco Ugarte of the SF Public Defenders Office criticized the deportations for lacking evidence and due process. He characterized the deportations as a serious concern, declaring, “Every single person in America should be terrified at what just happened.”
The Alien Enemies Act allows for the removal of individuals during wartime or in cases of invasion. Ugarte indicated that this act has been misapplied by the Trump administration, which has categorized certain criminal organizations as quasi-states, enabling them to invoke this wartime measure.
The ACLU and Democracy Forward’s lawsuit claims that the Trump administration proceeded with deportations despite a restraining order from a federal judge. Reports state that two planes departed the U.S. while a third left after the court’s order was issued, a clear violation according to the plaintiffs.
Venezuelan officials have described the actions of the Trump administration as akin to kidnapping, asserting that international airspace was already breached at the time of the deportation.
Catherine Seitz, legal Director of the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, expressed concerns regarding due process. She recalled similar incidents during the previous Trump administration where individuals were wrongfully swept up in mass deportations, many of whom were not gang members, emphasizing the consequences of denying due process.
The ACLU’s lawsuit represents a significant challenge to the Trump administration’s method of deportations, emphasizing concerns over legality and the rights of migrants. The invocation of the Alien Enemies Act has raised critical questions about its application and the notion of due process in deportation cases. As this legal battle unfolds, the implications for immigration law and the treatment of deportees will continue to be scrutinized.
Original Source: www.ktvu.com
