The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for the deportation of over 200 individuals to El Salvador, claiming it violated a federal judge’s order for due process. President Bukele’s video of deportees raised concerns about their treatment. Critiques from immigration experts highlight a lack of evidence against deportees and warn of broader implications for immigration rights.
On Monday, two organizations initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding the deportation of over 200 individuals to El Salvador, asserting that these actions violated a federal judge’s ruling mandating their return to the United States for due process. This deportation occurred over the weekend, highlighting significant legal concerns.
El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, shared footage depicting detained men being transported to a high-security facility for gang members. Notably, the video recorded the individuals being restrained and processed, raising alarms about their treatment.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that out of the 261 migrants deported, 137 were removed under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, with 23 deportees classified as MS-13 gang members. Leavitt added that President Bukele expressed appreciation for the return of these individuals.
Francisco Ugarte of the SF Public Defenders Office’s immigration unit criticized the deportations, arguing that due process was absent and emphasizing the alarming nature of these actions. He stated, “Every single person in America should be terrified at what just happened.”
The Alien Enemies Act allows for deportation during wartime or in the event of foreign invasions. Ugarte highlighted its intended use for extreme circumstances, suggesting that the Trump administration improperly identified certain criminal organizations as quasi-states to justify invoking this act.
The lawsuit filed by the ACLU and Democracy Forward asserts that two planes had departed when the federal judge issued a return order, and a third plane took off post-order. This, they argue, represents a gross violation of the judicial ruling. Venezuelan officials have deemed the removals as kidnapping.
Furthermore, Catherine Seitz, Legal Director at the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, expressed serious concerns regarding the due process afforded to deportees and the violation of the court’s order. She recalled a previous incident in the first Trump administration where alleged gang members were wrongfully rounded up, highlighting the dangers of lacking due process.
The ACLU lawsuit addresses significant legal violations concerning the recent deportation of over 200 individuals to El Salvador. The Federal Court’s order was disregarded, raising questions about due process and the application of the Alien Enemies Act. The ongoing legal battle underscores the implications of such deportations on civil liberties and the rights of immigrants. Furthermore, this case amplifies concerns about the potential misuse of legal frameworks for immigration enforcement. Stakeholders continue to emphasize the importance of judicial respect and the necessity of due process in such sensitive matters.
Original Source: www.ktvu.com
