Courtroom Clash: Venezuelan Migrants vs. Trump's Deportation Orders

U.S. Circuit Judge Patricia Millett criticized the Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act, comparing it to World War Two Nazi treatment. The case hinges on the administration's use of executive power to deport alleged gang members, challenging federal judges' authority to block such actions.

In a striking statement during a courtroom hearing, U.S. Circuit Judge Patricia Millett criticized the Trump administration's treatment of Venezuelan migrants, contrasting it unfavorably with the rights granted to Nazis during World War Two. This dramatic comparison was made as Millett questioned government lawyer Drew Ensign about whether Venezuelans had an opportunity to contest their deportation before being flown to El Salvador.

The case hinges on the use of the Alien Enemies Act by the Trump administration, a law previously used sparingly in U.S. history. Federal Judge James Boasberg issued a two-week ban halting these deportations, prompting an appeal from the Trump administration. The deportees, including a Venezuelan soccer coach wrongfully identified as a gang member, were deported based on an alleged association with the Tren de Aragua gang.

The controversy has become a litmus test for the Trump administration's executive authority, as federal judges often serve as the only check on presidential power given the political alignment in Congress. The appeal comes amid contentious debate about executive orders and their limits, with top legal authorities and the ACLU challenging the government's tactics and noting the importance of judicial oversight in national security matters.

(With inputs from agencies.)