The Trump administration announced plans on Monday to extradite several Venezuelan men to Chile, declaring them subject to the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law currently under legal scrutiny.
According to Justice Department officials, three Venezuelan citizens have been designated as “alien enemies” and will be sent to Chile to face criminal charges. Among them, one holds Ecuadorian citizenship, and another is also a citizen of Colombia.
Extradition is a well-established process for sending accused individuals to another country to face charges. By invoking the Alien Enemies Act, the Trump administration aims to assert its legal stance while avoiding actions that could breach a temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge.
These cases differ from the expedited deportations of over 100 Venezuelans earlier this month, which are set to be reviewed by a federal appeals court on Monday afternoon.
In the announcement, the administration criticized Judge James E. Boasberg, who issued the restraining order. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, “We would have already removed these violent gang members to Chile to face justice were it not for the nationwide injunction imposed by a single judge,” expressing hope that “common sense and justice will prevail.”
The extradition comes amid ongoing legal debates regarding President Trump’s recent use of the law to deport over 100 Venezuelans to a large prison complex in El Salvador. Civil rights groups have contested these deportations, arguing that the individuals did not receive due process and disputing claims of their affiliation with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
The administration contends that the gang operates in conjunction with Venezuela’s ruling party, justifying summary arrest and deportation under the 1798 law. However, civil rights advocates argue that the law is being misapplied, infringing on the rights of immigrants.
The Justice Department indicated that one of the extradited men is currently incarcerated in Texas and is wanted in Chile for extortion, homicide-related kidnapping, and criminal association. The other two men, who face kidnapping charges, are also in U.S. custody, according to officials.