The Trump administration knowingly deported hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador despite internal data showing most had no criminal convictions in the United States, a joint investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune reveals.
Of the 238 men deported in March under the Alien Enemies Act, only 32 had U.S. convictions—mostly for nonviolent offenses like traffic violations or petty theft. Another 130 had no criminal charges at all and were deported solely for immigration violations. The administration publicly labeled them “savages” and “terrorists,” citing alleged links to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
However, U.S. intelligence later found no credible evidence the gang operated under direction from Venezuela’s government. A review of court records, police data, and international gang lists found no links to terrorism or organized crime for the majority of those deported.
Civil liberties groups have called the action a due process violation. “This was a blatant abuse of power,” said ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt.
Most deportees remain imprisoned in El Salvador without access to lawyers or contact with family.
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