Summary
The U.S. deported 238 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
Internal documents show 75% had no known criminal record. Some, like a makeup artist and a soccer player, had pending asylum claims.
The Trump administration claimed links to the Tren de Aragua gang, citing tattoos and social media, but lawyers and experts say evidence is flimsy.
Despite a court order to halt the deportation, flights proceeded. Critics warn the move bypasses due process and violates international human rights standards.
It’s insufficient to punish “someone”, because that person is likely just a patsy, as you suggest.
What I would like to see is the judge asking the lowest person on the rung, under oath, “Who ordered this? Tell me or I’ll hold you in contempt”, and then when that person answers they ask the named person the same question, until they find someone who actually matters, and hold them in contempt until the man is returned. (And, hold them directly responsible for the condition the man is returned in).
The President may be immune from the consequences of his actions, but people serving under him are not.
Oh I agree, the patsy is the first domino, though. The dominos get larger as they continue to fall, ideally. As you put it.
Things are dark but there is not yet an absence of light.
Convincing all the little stooges that they won’t be protected is the only way to course correct from this.
We need to convince them the only way they will be protected is to rat out their bosses. (And then, actually protect them from the brownshirts.)