Reuters
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A group of Venezuelans sent by the United States to a high-security El Salvadoran prison and returned to Venezuela called on the United States on Friday to abide by a ruling that would allow them to challenge their deportation in American courts.
U.S. Judge James Boasberg ruled this week that President Donald Trump’s administration must urgently arrange the repatriation of hundreds of Venezuelans who were deported to El Salvador, arguing that their expulsion violated their due process rights and that they have the right to challenge their deportations in court.
Based on the ruling, the Trump administration must present a plan within two weeks to allow them to return home.
“The court’s decision mandates that they be given a fair trial in accordance with U.S. law,” said former detainee Iscabel Peñalosa, speaking on behalf of some 252 ex-prisoners.
“We call on the governments of the United States and El Salvador to fully comply with the court order. We call on the authorities in those countries to create conditions that will allow us to participate in the hearing.”
Peñalosa called for domestic and international help for its defence, although he did not specify what kind of support would be needed.
The Venezuelans were sent from the United States to El Salvador in March after President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a little-used law of war, to deport people classified as members of the Torren de Aragua gang without hearings or normal immigration procedures.
Many lawyers and family members deny that the men in question have any gang ties and say the detainees’ whereabouts often remain hidden.
The deportations drew strong criticism from human rights groups and sparked a legal battle with the Trump administration.
