US Loses Track of 137 Venezuelan Migrants After Controversial Deportations
The US government has admitted it cannot locate 137 Venezuelan migrants who were unlawfully deported last year. The group was removed under a controversial wartime law, sparking legal battles over their rights. Their current whereabouts remain unknown after a series of deportations and detentions across multiple countries.
The migrants were deported in 2023 under the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used authority that allows the president to target undocumented immigrants during conflicts. Initially, they were sent to El Salvador, where they were imprisoned upon arrival. In July, El Salvador released them as part of a prisoner exchange with Venezuela.
Before their removal, the Trump administration faced court challenges over the legality of the deportations. A federal judge ruled that migrants must receive proper notice and a chance to contest their cases. The Supreme Court later permitted the use of the Alien Enemies Act but insisted officials provide adequate warnings before any deportations. Despite these legal safeguards, the US now has no record of whether the migrants remain in Venezuela, have fled elsewhere, or been re-detained by Venezuelan authorities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has argued that granting due process to these individuals could undermine US foreign policy efforts in the region. No further details have emerged about their current status or location.
The case highlights the challenges of tracking migrants after deportation under emergency powers. With no clear information on their fate, the US government remains unable to confirm their safety or movements. Legal and diplomatic disputes over their removal continue to raise questions about accountability and oversight.
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