Imminent Deportations Under the Alien Enemies Act

A U.S. official revealed to ABC News that preparations are underway for imminent deportation flights as part of the enforcement of the Alien Enemies Act (AEA). This announcement coincides with concerns from attorneys representing several Venezuelan migrants currently detained in Texas, who warn that their clients face an “imminent risk” of deportation to El Salvador.

Legal Filings and Concerns

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), attorneys have indicated that ICE officers at Bluebonnet Detention Center have issued notices exclusively in English to Venezuelan men, specifying their designation for removal under the AEA. Allegations have surfaced that detainees have been informed their deportations may take place as soon as tonight or tomorrow.

In a recent Supreme Court ruling, a 5-4 decision allowed the Trump administration to continue deportations of individuals identified as members of Venezuelan gangs under the AEA while also stipulating that detainees are entitled to due process in contesting their removal.

Federal Court Rulings

On Thursday, a federal judge in Texas denied the ACLU’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO), asserting that the organization did not sufficiently demonstrate a “substantial threat of imminent, irreparable injury.” The judge noted that the U.S. government had previously stated under litigation that it would not remove petitioners during the ongoing case.

Despite this, ACLU attorneys filed an emergency application for a TRO after multiple clients disclosed interactions with ICE officers, who reportedly informed them of their deportation status while suggesting that they complete associated paperwork.

Personal Accounts and Witness Testimonies

In statements made by Michelle Brane, Executive Director of Together and Free, it was reported that a detained individual’s sister conveyed information about a group of Venezuelans being prepared for deportation to El Salvador. An added dimension was introduced with a TikTok video featuring a detained man who claimed that officials labeled him an enemy and accused him of gang affiliation while asserting their intent to deport him.

The involved party emphasized in the video, “We need help… They’re saying we’re enemies… members of Tren de Aragua. They’re saying we’re going to be removed.”

The Broader Context of the Deportation Policy

The recent actions are part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy employed by the Trump administration, which recently invoked the AEA—a wartime statute—to expedite the removal of noncitizens with limited due process rights. This approach has included the deportation of alleged gang members to a mega-prison in El Salvador amid claims that the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, constitutes a “hybrid criminal state” threatening the United States.