A controversial deportation program concentrating on alleged gang members has turn out to be the newest flashpoint in President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown, as civil rights advocates warn of due course of violations and questionable deportations.
Amongst these caught within the crosshairs is Alessandro Paredes, a 19-year-old Venezuelan migrant detained in North Texas. After turning himself in for allegedly pointing a pistol at somebody in South Carolina, Paredes was arrested by immigration authorities earlier than his weapons cost might make its means by way of court docket.
The Trump administration claimed he’s a gang member within the nation illegally — an allegation Paredes denied.
“We’re being pressured to signal papers … saying we’re a part of a gang,” Paredes instructed ABC Information from detention.
The Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) declined to touch upon his case.
Paredes fears being deported to CECOT, an El Salvador jail the place lots of of different Venezuelans going through related accusations have been despatched in latest weeks. A final-minute Supreme Court docket resolution temporarily blocked Paredes’ deportation, ruling that he and others deserve due course of.
Venezuelan migrant Alessandro Paredes spoke to ABC Information.
ABC Information
“This isn’t being finished by regulation, that is completely unlawful and it is out of the blue,” Paredes stated of the hassle to deport him.
The case exemplifies the Trump administration’s aggressive method to immigration enforcement in its first 100 days. On the day of his inauguration, Trump issued executive orders ramping up deportations and ending humanitarian parole applications established beneath former President Joe Biden.
After that, DHS performed raids concentrating on alleged gang members across the similar time navy reinforcements have been despatched to fortify the southern border.
The administration’s most controversial transfer got here in mid-March, when Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act — an obscure regulation permitting presidential deportation powers when there’s a threatened “invasion” of U.S. territory.
This led to lots of being deported to CECOT, regardless of court docket orders to turn the deportation flights around. Some civil rights attorneys argue the insurance policies violate U.S. regulation.
“The Trump administration has not solely pushed as much as the authorized line, however gone effectively previous it,” American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawyer Lee Gelernt instructed ABC Information. “Lots of the insurance policies are simply flouting legal guidelines that Congress has handed.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in coordination with the U.S. Customs and Border Safety, assists with the deportation of migrants at Biggs Military Airfield, Fort Bliss, Texas, Feb. 7, 2025.
Sgt. Walker Pino/US Military
However there isn’t any query Trump’s insurance policies have had a shocking affect on the southern border. After reaching all-time highs again and again through the Biden administration, border crossings have plunged to near-record lows for the reason that inauguration, statistics present, with the administration’s supporters crediting the deterrent impact.
“President Trump is answerable for the turnaround at our southern border,” Julie Kirschner, govt director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), instructed ABC Information. “He has despatched the message throughout the globe that in case you come right here illegally, there will probably be penalties.”
Nevertheless, there are additionally mounting concerns over wrongful deportations and removals of individuals with no legal data.
An ABC Information ballot shows Americans divided, with 46% approving of Trump’s dealing with of immigration whereas 53% disapprove. Many of the insurance policies face ongoing legal challenges, and a few consultants warn of a potential constitutional crisis over the administration’s resistance to court docket orders — together with its possible defiance of the order to show deportation flights round.
The insurance policies’ future stays unsure since they rely largely on govt actions {that a} future administration might reverse with out congressional motion. For now, migrants like Paredes stay in limbo.
“We simply need justice, we’re human, we now have human rights, and we’re preventing for it,” Paredes stated. “We do not need to get taken to a rustic that is not even ours. We simply need to return.”
