Latest news with #AlienEnemiesActof1798
NBC News
17 hours ago
- Health
- NBC News
Venezuelan who had rare, major surgery was deported to El Salvador prison, and his family has no idea how he is
Even before her son was summarily locked up in a Salvadoran prison and cut off from contact with the outside world, Mariela Villamizar was worried about his health. Wladimir Vera Villamizar, a 33-year-old welder from western Venezuela, had recovered from a tuberculosis infection that left severe scarring in his right lung, according to his family and medical records reviewed by NBC News. His health was in decline when he arrived in the United States as an asylum-seeker last year and got progressively worse during the months he spent in immigration detention, his mother said. In January, his family said, after Vera had been released with an ankle monitor, he was rushed to the E.R. According to medical records, he underwent an emergency right pneumonectomy — the total removal of his right lung. 'The operation took over five hours,' his mother told NBC News from her home in Venezuela. 'God worked a miracle, and he came out OK, but the recovery was not what he expected.' About two weeks after the surgery and days after President Donald Trump took office, Vera was detained once again, according to his family. After President Trump invoked emergency wartime powers in March to deport more than 200 Venezuelan men to the supermax prison in El Salvador known as the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism, or CECOT, Vera's name turned up on a list of deportees leaked to CBS News. 'Since the last time I spoke to him on March 13, I've gotten no information about him,' Villamizar's mother said. 'I don't know how he's doing, what condition his health is in, how they're holding him. Whether he's received any medical attention — or if they even have that over there in El Salvador. I just don't know.' Because every prisoner at CECOT is held strictly incommunicado, with zero access to lawyers or loved ones, nothing is known about whether Vera is receiving any treatment. The men were deported to CECOT under a presidential order invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a law meant to be used in wartime that allows for the suspension of certain due process rights for noncitizens from hostile nations. The legality of the move is the subject of multiple strands of high-stakes litigation in the federal courts. In a statement to NBC News, Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Security's Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, said that Vera 'self-admitted to spending 7 years in prison on murder charges in Venezuela' and is a 'member of Tren de Aragua, one of the most violent ruthless terrorist gangs on planet earth.' Mariela Villamizar, Vera's mother, acknowledged that Vera had served a 7-year prison sentence in Venezuela for homicide, but said this sentence was served over a false accusation and denied that her son was ever a member of Tren de Aragua. Constitutional rights attorneys in the U.S. say the past criminal histories of the men sent to CECOT are irrelevant to their due process rights. 'The fact that he had a prior criminal conviction can in no way deprive him of his procedural rights, including the right not to be sent to his potential death in a third country,' said Baher Azmy, Legal Director for the Center for Constitutional Rights. 'But for this administration, the fact of a prior criminal conviction is enough to sweep away any legal protections for any person in this country.' On the question of Vera's medical condition, McLaughlin said: 'This criminal illegal alien was in good health at the time of his deportation to El Salvador,' and referred questions about his current medical care at CECOT to the U.S. State Department. The State Department referred the inquiry back to the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security would not comment on Vera's case or confirm whether he is, in fact, at CECOT. Vera's is one of hundreds of Venezuelan families who have been clamoring for more than 100 days for proof of life from their loved ones inside CECOT. In Vera's case, the need is concrete and urgent: The removal of a lung is a rare, major operation typically requiring months of intensively managed recovery, including medication and rehabilitation exercises. According to doctors interviewed by NBC News — including a thoracic surgeon, a pulmonologist and a primary care physician — detaining a patient so soon after a pneumonectomy raises serious alarms from a medical perspective. 'It's the kind of procedure you do maybe once a year,' said Dr. Kiran Lagisetty, a general thoracic surgeon at the University of Michigan who specializes in diseases of the lung. 'You know the name of the patient and you worry about them, because whenever you get a phone call about that, it's probably not something good.' In the weeks after Vera was detained but before he was sent to El Salvador, according to his family, his cough — which had initially gone away after the procedure — came back. Among other things, pneumonectomy patients are told to avoid scenarios that could lead to respiratory infections — such as the crowded indoor space of a detention center or a prison. Infection poses a serious risk not only to the remaining lung but also to the cavity left by the lung removed in the procedure. Physicians look closely for any sign of complications, especially in the first 90 days of recovery. 'When a patient starts coughing, we treat it very seriously,' Lagisetty said. Vera's is one of several cases of men sent to CECOT with existing medical conditions. Together and Free, a nonprofit organization coordinating legal and case management services for the CECOT families, has documented, among others, eight cases of asthma, two of diabetes and one of muscular dystrophy. Even routine cases of diabetes or hypertension can present serious problems if they are not properly treated, said Dr. Nora V. Becker, a primary care physician and assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan. 'These types of chronic conditions require regular access to medications and high-quality medical care, or patients can face either immediate life-threatening complications or long-term complications that diminish their quality of life,' Becker said. Michelle Brané, Together and Free's executive director, said the families of the men deported to CECOT 'are terrified that they are at serious risk, not only from the general conditions at CECOT but from lack of appropriate medical treatment. Their lives are at risk because the United States put them there.'
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Green Card Holder Detained by ICE for Over 4 Months After Making Wrong Turn
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Milad Aspari, a green card holder from Iran, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) after mistakenly crossing into Canada and was arrested upon reentry. Advocates warn that his potential deportation to Iran could endanger his life, given his Kurdish identity. Newsweek reached out to Aspari's attorney, ICE, and USCIS for comment via email on Thursday. Why It Matters Aspari's detention comes amid an immigration crackdown by the Trump administration and inflamed U.S. relations with Iran. His legal team argues that his Kurdish ethnic and religious minority identity will complicate his security matters even more after President Donald Trump struck three of the country's nuclear sites, Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz, on Saturday. Iran later struck a U.S. base in Qatar. The Trump administration has pledged to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history. In addition to people residing in the country illegally, immigrants with valid documentation, including green cards and visas, have been detained and face legal jeopardy. Many people have been deported as a result of Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which grants the president authority to deport noncitizens without appearing before a judge, among other wartime authorities. What To Know On February 20, Aspari was arrested by ICE officials after he and his work team, who were working just two miles from the Canadian border, accidentally turned into Canada for a few miles due to construction and road closures. As they turned back into the U.S., Aspari was taken into custody. He is currently being held at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington. Aspari is a green card holder who is the father of a U.S. citizen daughter. His girlfriend, Ruth, whose last name is protected for security reasons, told Seattle news station KING 5 that Aspari left Iran due to religious and political persecution. His lawyer has filed an asylum claim. Around 10 percent of the population in Iran identifies as Kurdish, roughly between 8 and 12 million people. The ethnic and religious minority has a history of being persecuted in Iran. On September 16, 2022, a Kurdish Iranian woman, Mahsa (Jina) Amini, died in police custody, with many speculating she was killed by the country's morality police. She was arrested for a dress code violation, a common arrest for women in Iran. The suspicious circumstances of her death sparked protests across the country and world, branded as the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, where Milad Aspari is being detained. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, where Milad Aspari is being detained. JASON REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images Aspari's lawyer told KING 5 that a previous assault conviction and a violation of a no-contact order are the reasons his client is still being held in detention. The outlet reported that the no-contact order has been dismissed. Ruth previously stated that the no-contact order was related to a verbal argument between the couple three years ago. Aspari was booked over it and later signed paperwork that he didn't understand due to language barriers, Ruth told KING 5. Their daughter appeared at the court hearing on Wednesday, when the judge ruled to postpone the next hearing for several months. The Department of Homeland Security arrested 11 Iranian nationals earlier this week amid tensions with Iran. What People Are Saying Aspari's girlfriend Ruth told KING 5 News: "If he goes back to Iran, they're going to kill him for sure because of religion." A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection told Newsweek on June 25, regarding a different case: "Possessing a green card is a privilege, not a right; and under our nation's laws, our government has the authority to revoke a green card if our laws are broken and abused. In addition to immigration removal proceedings, lawful permanent residents presenting at a U.S. port of entry with previous criminal convictions may be subject to mandatory detention." Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security said in a June 24 press release about the arrest of 11 Iranian nationals: "Under Secretary [Kristi] Noem, DHS has been full throttle on identifying and arresting known or suspected terrorists and violent extremists that illegally entered this country, came in through Biden's fraudulent parole programs or otherwise. "We have been saying we are getting the worst of the worst out—and we are. We don't wait until a military operation to execute; we proactively deliver on President Trump's mandate to secure the homeland." What Happens Next Aspari's next hearing is expected to take place on July 8.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Whistleblower Exposes Top DOJ Official's Plan to Ignore the Courts
Senior Justice Department official Emil Bove, whom President Donald Trump has nominated for a lifetime appointment on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, expressed his willingness to ignore court orders in order to speed up the president's mass deportations, according to a whistleblower report. The stunning disclosure comes from former Justice Department official Erez Reuveni—who was fired by the Trump administration after acknowledging in court that the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia was an 'administrative error.' Reuveni's new allegations, which were submitted to Senate and House Judiciary Committee leaders, as well as the U.S. inspector general and acting special counsel, were published by The New York Times on Tuesday. His account details a meeting with Bove and subordinate officials at the DOJ and officials within the Office of Immigration Litigation on March 14. According to Reuveni's complaint, in the meeting, Bove informed those in attendance of Trump's then-forthcoming proclamation, which would invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 in service of his mass deportation agenda. Planes containing deportees subject to the Alien Enemies Act would take off over the next two days, Bove reportedly said. Bove reportedly 'stressed to all in attendance that planes needed to take off no matter what,' though he also noted 'the possibility that a court order would enjoin those removals before they could be effectuated.' The suggested response? 'Bove stated that DOJ would need to consider telling the courts 'fuck you' and ignore any such court order,' per Reuveni's report. The remark was followed by 'stunned' looks and 'awkward, nervous glances.' 'Silence overtook the room,' the report says, and 'Reuveni and others were quickly ushered out of the room.' This revelation—which adds to Bove's record of targeting January 6 investigators and helping drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams—comes a day before he is set to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his nomination to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, issued a statement saying the allegations 'not only speak to Mr. Bove's failure to fulfill his ethical obligations as a lawyer, but demonstrate that his activities are part of a broader pattern by President Trump and his allies to undermine the Justice Department's commitment to the rule of law.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pam Bondi Thinks Lying to a Federal Judge Makes You a Great Person
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi considers senior Justice Department official Emil Bove, who attempted to lie to a federal judge to speed up deportations, to be one of the 'best human beings' she knows. On Wednesday, Bondi was questioned by Senator Chris Van Hollen over recent disclosures from Justice Department whistleblower Erez Reuveni, who was fired by the Trump administration after admitting that the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia was an 'administrative error.' Now Reuveni claims that Bove, at a meeting ahead of the invocation of the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798, told attendees to tell the courts 'fuck you' and ignore any court orders that may stop a plane from taking off or a detainment from occuring. '[Reuvini] says he was fired because he didn't want to make an untruthful statement to a court of law,' said Van Hollen. 'I have two questions. Number one, I assume you agree that zealous advocacy does not mean telling untruths to courts of law. And second, if that's not the case, what do you mean by saying he was not a zealous advocate?' Van Hollen hadn't even named Bove, but Bondi immediately took it as an attack on her colleague. 'Senator Van Hollen, this is all pending litigation, as you're well aware, and the timing of it. I can't discuss pending litigation. This is a whistleblower lawsuit pending within my office, but I will say the timing of it I find suspect,' Bondi replied. 'He takes hits at Emil Bove, who is one of the best human beings I know, one of the smartest, brilliant men I know, who will soon become a federal judge, and his hearing happens to be today, and I find the irony of the timing of it pretty remarkable, the lawsuit, but this had to do with attorney-client privilege information that was disclosed. I can't talk about the substance, but what I will tell you, and you have obviously my word, any zealous advocacy means to be done ethically and honestly, always. And that's what I mean by zealous advocacy.' Bove is currently going through confirmation for a lifetime appointment to be a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Aside from the open corruption he's accused of by Reuveni, Bove also unsuccessfully defended Trump in the Stormy Daniels hush-money trial, was key in dropping the multiple corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams in exchange for his loyalty, fired prosecutors who investigated January 6 and accused the FBI of 'insubordination' for not turning over the names of other staffers who worked on the investigation, and as a New York state prosecutor was described by colleagues as someone who could not 'be bothered to treat lesser mortals with respect or empathy.'
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Joe Rogan Speaks Out Against ICE Raids: 'That's Crazy'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Podcaster Joe Rogan has spoken out against ICE raids in a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, where he described them as "crazy" and said: "I don't think anybody would have signed up for that." Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Rogan via email outside of regular working hours for comment. Why It Matters Rogan endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election and interviewed him on his podcast. He also attended Trump's inauguration. Trump campaigned on a hardline immigration stance, pledging to carry out the largest mass deportation in American history. Trump's administration has said it deported around 100,000 illegal immigrants in the initial months of the presidency. Many individuals have been deported following Trump invoking the rarely used Alien Enemies Act of 1798, something which has been criticized and blocked by judges. ICE has been conducting raids around the country. Some arrests have been viewed as heavy handed while others have wrongly targeted people suspected of having no legal status in the U.S. The raids have led to nationwide protests. Joe Rogan looks on during UFC 316 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 7, 2025. Joe Rogan looks on during UFC 316 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 7, 2025. Elsa/Getty Images What To Know In an episode that aired on June 18, Rogan was joined by comic and writer Luis J. Gomez and Big Jay Oakerson, a stand-up comedian and podcaster. Rogan raised the topic of ICE raids, and said: "These ICE raids are f****** nuts man." Rogan then says he was watching a protest on television, and is asked by Oakerson if he thinks the raids are nuts, or the protests are. "All of it's nuts," Rogan responds. Gomez then says that he thinks both sides are "taking it a little too hard." "I don't think if the Trump administration, if they're running and they said, 'We're gonna go to Home Depot and we're gonna arrest all the people at Home Depot. We're gonna go to construction sites and we're going to just like tackle people at construction sites, I don't think anybody would have signed up for that," Rogan said. It's not the first time that Rogan has spoken about ICE raids. In an April episode of the podcast, he praised Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration but shared his upset at the news that the administration had deported a gay Venezuelan asylum-seeker along with a supposed member of the Tren de Aragua gang. "It's horrific," he said at the time, adding that it was "crazy," that this could have happened. A poll from Reuters/Ipsos conducted between June 11-12, which surveyed 1,136 Americans nationwide found that 52 percent of respondents (including one in five Democrats and nine in 10 Republicans) supported deportations of people in the country illegally. However, 49 percent of people in the poll said that Trump had gone too far with his arrests of immigrants, while 40 percent said he had not. The clip of Rogan speaking about the ICE raids has been met with a mixed response online. What People Are Saying Joe Rogan, speaking on his podcast: "They said, 'We're gonna get rid of the criminals and the gang members first'. And now we're seeing like Home Depots get raided. Like that's crazy." The Tennessee Holler, a media and news company wrote on X: "You were warned Joe. Yet you signed up for it." @bullriders1 on X: "Why does Joe Rogan have to start making sense?" @thatchthoughts on X: "That's exactly what I voted for. Mass deportations." What's Next Another round of anti-Trump protests is being planned across the U.S. for July 17. Among their goals are an end to "attacks on Black and brown Americans, immigrants, trans people, and other communities," according to protest organizers.
