A federal judge has declined to block deportation flights under the Alien Enemies Act, concluding he lacks the authority to issue a nationwide order. The decision comes as the Trump administration’s plans to deport Venezuelan migrants using this wartime authority are being challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The Supreme Court had previously ruled that the administration could resume such flights, but with the condition that detainees be given due process.
The ACLU has argued that dozens of men from Venezuela are at risk of deportation and have not received adequate notice or time to challenge their removals. In a court filing, the organization claims that immigration officials told Venezuelan migrants they would be removed within 24 hours if they did not sign papers in English. The judge denied the request for a temporary restraining order, citing a lack of evidence to support the claim of imminent harm.
Despite this ruling, the Department of Justice says it “reserves the right” to resume deportation flights as early as Saturday. A lawyer for the DOJ stated that while there are no scheduled flights on Friday or Saturday, the agency has not ruled out future deportations.
The case highlights concerns about due process and the use of wartime authorities like the Alien Enemies Act in immigration enforcement. The ACLU’s attorneys have asked a federal appeals court to block the deportations, citing a failure by the district court to issue a temporary restraining order.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/attorneys-venezuelans-warn-clients-imminent-risk-deportation-aea/story?id=120950962