No Priors AI Kristi Noem’s Controversial Venezuelan Deportation Flights
Nov 28, 2025
A controversial court filing reveals Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's approval of deportation flights for Venezuelan men to a notorious Salvadoran prison. The use of the rarely employed Alien Enemies Act sparks legal battles over executive power and due process. Concerns arise over humanitarian issues, with rights groups questioning the treatment of asylum seekers. Erroneous deportations and demands for transparency add to the uproar, making this case a national flashpoint in the discussion of immigration policy and judicial authority.
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Wartime Law Used To Bypass Court Orders
- Kristi Noem authorized deportations of ~100 Venezuelan men under the Alien Enemies Act despite a federal judge's order to halt removals.
- This move raises novel questions about using wartime statutes to bypass judicial oversight and expand executive power.
Human Rights And Due-Process Red Flags
- The men were sent to CECOT, a prison known for extreme overcrowding and alleged abuse, raising human rights concerns.
- Many deportees had no U.S. convictions and some were pending asylum claims, highlighting due-process risks.
Jurisdictional Defense Sparks Contempt Probe
- Officials argued the flights left U.S. airspace before the court order arrived, claiming the judge lost jurisdiction.
- That technical jurisdictional defense has sparked a criminal contempt probe and questions about executive accountability.