I have been tracking this story since it broke last week because it is so shocking and is not getting the attention it deserves, among the series of egregious and unlawful actions of this administration.
On March 15, more than 250 Venezuelan and El Salvador men were rushed onto planes and sent to El Salvador’s CECOT (Terrorism Confinement Center) under the auspices of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act because the government deemed them gang members of Tren de Agua or MS-13. The problem is that there was no due process identifying whether any of these men were actually part of a gang. Our government simply decided it was so, based on questionable criteria such as whether they had tattoos, and lawyers for many of these men have been arguing that their clients were unlawfully detained, were not part of any gang, were given no opportunity to plead their case before being sent to El Salvador and are now imprisoned with no judicial process by which they can be released.
Not to mention, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg ordered that these planes be turned around and brought back to the United States. That order was not obeyed.
Then the case of Kilmar Albrego Garcia came to light. He is a Maryland father with protected status who is married to an American citizen and whose special needs son is an American citizen. The government admitted in U.S. District Court that his detainment was an “administrative error.” Judge Paula Xinis ordered that he be returned. The U.S. government said Garcia and the others are now in the custody of El Salvador and they can’t bring him back. Presumably ever. After all, U.S. Courts do not have jurisdiction in El Salvador.
Last night, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Judge Xinis’ order.
Watch Lawrence O’Donnel’s commentary at the beginning of last night’s show because he puts into perspective the seriousness this case and what it means for the rights of all of us. O’Donnel further explains SCOTUS’ ruling and what the consequences will be if this order is ignored.
(this segment is 18 minutes)