Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court Approval to Resume Deportation of Nearly 200 Venezuelan Migrants

The Trump administration has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to lift its temporary injunction blocking the deportation of nearly 200 Venezuelan migrants detained in Texas under the Alien Enemies Act, accusing them of gang affiliation with Tren de Aragua and posing significant safety threats. The administration cited a violent incident in which 23 detainees barricaded themselves at Bluebonnet Detention Facility, threatened to take hostages, and harm ICE officers, leading to their transfer to another facility to mitigate ongoing risks. Solicitor General John Sauer emphasized that these detainees have received adequate notice and the opportunity to file habeas petitions, yet none have done so. The government argues that the ongoing detention presents security concerns and that expedited removals under the 18th-century wartime law are necessary to prevent the spread of gang activity within the U.S. The Supreme Court has previously ordered that detainees must be allowed to challenge their removals, leading to the current legal standoff. The administration's request reflects its broader effort to resume deportations swiftly, citing dangers posed by prolonged detention of these individuals.