A federal judge convened an emergency hearing Friday following reports that the Trump administration may be preparing to deport dozens of Venezuelan nationals under the centuries-old Alien Enemies Act, raising alarm among civil liberties advocates and immigration attorneys.
The hearing comes after legal filings revealed that detainees at the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Texas received sudden removal notices, reportedly written in English only, despite language barriers. Attorneys fear the transfers—allegedly set to occur within 24 hours—could violate due process, particularly since many of the individuals have not been convicted of crimes.
The targeted group reportedly includes Venezuelan men accused of having ties to the transnational Tren de Aragua gang, though legal experts argue that the government has not provided credible evidence to support the allegations.
This is not the first time concerns have been raised about the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely invoked 18th-century statute. The law allows for the detention or removal of foreign nationals from hostile countries during times of conflict, though its use has historically been highly controversial.
Earlier this year, the same judge—James Boasberg—issued a ruling blocking the deportation of another individual under similar circumstances. The court’s directive was allegedly ignored, prompting the judge to now consider potential contempt proceedings against federal officials.
Civil rights groups have requested a 30-day halt to the removals, warning that failure to intervene could set a dangerous precedent for mass deportations without judicial oversight. As the legal battle unfolds, the case is drawing intense scrutiny and sparking debate over executive power, national security, and constitutional protections.