A federal judge in Texas has ruled to extend a restraining order against the Trump Administration’s deportation of Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act. This order, obtained by the ACLU for three detained Venezuelans, protects all Venezuelans in the Southern District, complicating the administration’s plans to deport individuals they claim are gang members.

A federal judge in South Texas has extended a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump Administration from utilizing the Alien Enemies Act for the deportation of Venezuelan migrants detained in the Southern District. This decision specifically impacts three Venezuelans who were slated for deportation, as represented by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). On April 25, this order will apply to all Venezuelans detained in federal or state facilities in the region.

During a hearing, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez mandated that the Trump Administration disclose the number of Venezuelans subject to deportation at the upcoming hearing. This extension broadens the previous restraining order, ensuring that other Venezuelans who may be detained are also protected against removal under the controversial act.

The individuals involved had been detained earlier in various states and were relocated to the El Valle Detention Center in Raymondville, Texas. Following the Supreme Court’s consent for the Trump Administration to resume deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, the justices stated that targeted immigrants must be notified and permitted to contest their deportation in court.

The Trump Administration claimed these individuals are associated with Tren de Aragua, identified as a foreign terrorist organization. However, their attorneys refute these allegations. The Alien Enemies Act, which has not been used extensively since World War II, allows the government to deport noncitizens during wartime, but current relations with Venezuela do not classify as a state of war.

The government’s proclamation invoking this act arose from perceived threats posed by this gang to U.S. security, sparking significant legal contention regarding the constitutionality and applicability of the act in this context.

The legal and humanitarian implications of this ruling underscore ongoing debates about immigration policy and the treatment of undocumented individuals within asylum processes, particularly during times of perceived national threat and unrest.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez halts deportations of Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act, despite claims of their gang affiliations. This decision represents a significant legal challenge to the Trump Administration’s immigration policies and raises questions about the application of wartime legislation in current contexts. The extension of the restraining order protects a broader group of detained Venezuelans and highlights the ongoing concerns about due process and legal rights in migration cases.

Original Source: www.texastribune.org

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