In a stunning development that has drawn sharp criticism from immigration advocates and legal experts, hundreds of Venezuelan nationals were deported from the United States on Saturday, despite an active court order barring the removals. The move, carried out by federal immigration authorities, appears to defy a recent ruling by a federal judge who had explicitly instructed the government to halt deportations under a Trump-era enforcement policy.
According to attorneys representing several of the deportees, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) proceeded with mass deportation flights early Saturday morning, sending individuals back to Venezuela—despite the ongoing instability and humanitarian crisis in the country. The flights reportedly departed from multiple U.S. cities, including Miami and Houston, with limited notification to legal representatives and family members.
Civil rights groups and immigration lawyers condemned the deportations, calling them a blatant disregard of judicial authority. “This is not just a legal failure; it’s a humanitarian failure,” said Maria Castillo, an attorney with the National Immigration Justice Center. “These individuals were sent back to one of the most dangerous environments in the Western Hemisphere, and it was done in direct violation of a court order.”
The federal injunction in question was issued earlier this month in response to a lawsuit challenging the legality of accelerated removals under the Migrant Protection Protocols, a policy enacted during the Trump administration. The judge had instructed ICE to pause all Venezuelan deportations until a full hearing could be held to assess claims of potential harm and due process violations.
Department of Homeland Security officials have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the breach, but anonymous sources within the agency suggested there was “confusion” over the scope of the order. Legal analysts, however, argue that such an explanation is unlikely to withstand scrutiny, given the clarity of the court’s instructions and the high-profile nature of the case.
Members of Congress have begun calling for an immediate investigation. “If the federal government is willfully ignoring a court order, that’s not just a policy disagreement—that’s a constitutional crisis,” said Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), a vocal advocate for immigration reform. “There must be accountability, and those responsible should face the full weight of the law.”
Human rights observers warn that the consequences for the deported individuals could be severe. Venezuela remains embroiled in political unrest, food shortages, and widespread violence. Several families have already reported losing contact with relatives after their arrival back in Venezuela, raising alarms about potential detentions or disappearances.
As the legal fallout intensifies, advocates are pushing for the immediate return of those deported and for stronger enforcement of judicial authority in immigration matters. Meanwhile, the incident has reignited debate over the long-term implications of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies—and how they continue to reverberate across administrations.