Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled that the Trump administration lacks sufficient grounds to deport or detain Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist and lawful permanent resident. While granting an injunction against Khalil’s deportation and detention, the judge temporarily stayed the order until June 13th to allow for a government appeal. The judge cited a lack of compelling interest for Khalil’s continued detention and highlighted the potential irreparable harm to his career, reputation, and freedom of speech. The government is anticipated to challenge this injunction.
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Thirty-five detained Venezuelans, wrongly associated with gangs based solely on their tattoos, endured weeks in ICE detention, with some even facing school expulsion. None faced criminal charges. This incident highlights a broader concern regarding due process and the potential for arbitrary detention based on superficial assumptions. The lack of legal recourse for these individuals underscores a systemic vulnerability affecting all immigrants. Experts warn that such practices erode fundamental rights, jeopardizing the legal protections afforded to all.
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Under the Trump administration, numerous Venezuelan asylum seekers have been deported to El Salvador without due process, effectively disappearing from the U.S. system. These deportations, often based on unsubstantiated gang affiliations or seemingly arbitrary factors like tattoos, leave families unable to locate their loved ones, whose names vanish from official databases. Experts argue that these actions meet the UN definition of “enforced disappearances,” a tactic used by authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent and instill fear. The lack of transparency and denial of legal recourse surrounding these deportations raise serious human rights concerns.
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Kilmar Abrego Garcia, erroneously deported to El Salvador, has been returned to the U.S. to face a two-count indictment charging him with human smuggling. The indictment alleges a nine-year conspiracy to transport undocumented individuals, including MS-13 members, across the country. He pleaded not guilty and awaits a June 13th arraignment and detention hearing; prosecutors argue he is a flight risk and face a potential life sentence. Abrego Garcia’s attorney claims his return is an abuse of power, citing violations of due process stemming from his illegal deportation.
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Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador was a mistake, or so it seemed. Now, he’s on his way back to the United States to face criminal charges. The charges allege his participation in a long-running conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants within the U.S., spanning years and potentially involving thousands of individuals. This raises significant questions about the timing of these charges, appearing only after the controversy surrounding his initial deportation.
The indictment alleges that Garcia, 29, played a role in a conspiracy to move undocumented migrants from Texas to other parts of the country. Sources familiar with the investigation claim that some of those transported were affiliated with MS-13, a claim requiring further scrutiny and evidence.… Continue reading
Following a U.S. District Judge’s ruling, a Guatemalan man, O.C.G., wrongly deported without due process, has been returned to the United States by the Trump administration. The judge determined O.C.G.’s deportation violated his rights, citing a lack of notice and opportunity to contest his transfer to Mexico, where he faced danger. O.C.G., who sought asylum after violent attacks in Guatemala, will now undergo further due process proceedings. This marks a significant precedent, as it is the first high-profile case where the administration has complied with such a court order.
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Jordin Melgar-Salmeron, a Salvadoran man, was deported despite a federal appeals court order blocking his removal. The government attributes the deportation, which occurred minutes after the order, to “a confluence of administrative errors,” citing communication breakdowns between ICE offices in Buffalo and Louisiana. This incident follows other instances of alleged wrongful deportations under the Trump administration, raising concerns about due process. The government maintains the deportation did not violate the court order because it began before the order was formally issued, a claim disputed by Melgar-Salmeron’s lawyer.
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The White House is deporting individuals to countries other than their home countries, citing the unwillingness of their home countries to accept them due to criminal records. This practice, while not entirely new, has been expanded by the current administration, leading to legal challenges. A federal judge ruled that deportees to third countries must be given adequate time and notice to contest their removal, highlighting concerns about due process violations. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing an appeal of this ruling, leaving several deported men in limbo in Djibouti.
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Two-year-old American citizen Emanuelly Borges Santos was deported to Brazil with her undocumented parents by the Trump administration, despite possessing a U.S. passport and Social Security card. Brazilian officials were surprised by her presence among the deportees, and Manu now lacks access to healthcare and education while living on a temporary tourist visa. Her parents claim they were not given a choice regarding her deportation, contradicting DHS statements. This incident highlights concerns about the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts and the potential impact of a Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship.
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A federal judge ruled that Secretary of State Marco Rubio likely violated the Constitution by ordering the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, based on his pro-Palestinian activism. While the judge declined to immediately order Khalil’s release from immigration detention, citing a need for further evidence of irreparable harm, he acknowledged Rubio’s actions likely misused a federal statute. The judge also rejected Khalil’s First Amendment retaliation claim due to insufficient evidence, though this charge is being challenged separately. The case continues with ongoing efforts to secure Khalil’s release and overturn his deportation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood