We are witnessing a dangerous and deliberate acceleration of mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Act—happening right now with barely 24 hours’ notice.
This story is developing—and the stakes could not be higher. If you value independent reporting that holds power to account, consider becoming a paid subscriber today.
Lawyers representing a class of Venezuelan nationals have just filed an emergency motion with Judge James Boasberg, urging the court to immediately halt what they’re calling an unconstitutional and life-threatening operation. According to their filing, individuals—many of whom speak little or no English—have been given vague, one-page notices of removal. These notices are written exclusively in English, fail to specify how long they have to contest deportation, and do not explain how to do so.
More urgently: immigration officers reportedly told detainees last night that they would be removed within 24 hours. That means right now—this hour—buses are already rolling. Individuals are being loaded onto them, destination unknown, potentially bound for CECOT, the infamous El Salvadoran supermax prison that the Trump administration has quietly begun using as an offshore deportation facility.
As the plaintiffs wrote in their urgent court filing:
“Adequate notice is a prerequisite to seeking habeas review—without it, most class members will be unable to seek any review of their summary removal to a potential life sentence in CECOT.”
This is the exact scenario the Supreme Court said must not happen. When it allowed limited use of the Alien Enemies Act, it made clear: the government must provide meaningful notice and an opportunity to seek judicial review.
Yet here we are.
Judge Boasberg has been asked to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) immediately—today—requiring the government to pause deportations for at least 30 days, giving detainees time to find legal counsel and file habeas petitions. Alternatively, lawyers are asking for a shorter freeze until the full motion can be heard on Monday, April 21.
But time is vanishing. If Boasberg does not act by this afternoon, dozens—potentially hundreds—of individuals could be sent to CECOT today. Once they’re there, the legal avenues to challenge their deportation may disappear entirely.
These removals are not the result of criminal trials or immigration courts. They’re summary decisions made behind closed doors, enabled by executive power with almost no oversight.
This story is still unfolding. I’ll be updating as soon as we have word from Judge Boasberg’s chambers.
Read the full motion here.
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