1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

The forced transfer of migrants to a foreign prison without due process is a disturbing violation of human rights and principles of justice. By deporting these individuals under wartime authority with little to no evidence or oversight, the government is circumventing the legal system and undermining rule of law. The revelations that the majority of those imprisoned have no apparent criminal records, including a makeup artist, soccer player, and food delivery driver, raises grave concerns about the basis for their detention in such harsh conditions. Invoking the Alien Enemies Act, intended for times of war or invasion, to target a criminal organization sets a dangerous precedent of expanding executive power without meaningful checks and balances. Even during World War II, greater due process was afforded than what is currently being given to these Venezuelan nationals. This approach disregards constitutional protections and the fundamental right to contest one's detention. We call on the administration to immediately halt these unjustified deportations to foreign prisons and provide transparency on the purported evidence used to deem these individuals terrorists or gang members. Those without substantiated criminal convictions or ties to violent groups must be released or have their cases adjudicated through proper legal channels. Failure to do so perpetuates human rights abuses and undermines America's credibility as a nation built on principles of justice and human dignity.