Judge Halts Venezuelan Deportations in Texas
- EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A federal judge in West Texas has temporarily halted the deportation of Venezuelan immigrants, citing an 18th-century law known as the Law of...
- District Judge David Briones, presiding in El Paso, issued the order Friday, simultaneously directing the release of a Venezuelan couple accused of affiliation with a criminal gang.
- As of Saturday,a request for comment left with the couple's attorney had not been returned.
Texas Judge Blocks Venezuelan Immigrant Deportations
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EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A federal judge in West Texas has temporarily halted the deportation of Venezuelan immigrants, citing an 18th-century law known as the Law of Foreign Enemies. This ruling aligns with similar decisions made by other courts across the country.
Judge Orders Release of Couple
U.S. District Judge David Briones, presiding in El Paso, issued the order Friday, simultaneously directing the release of a Venezuelan couple accused of affiliation with a criminal gang. Judge Briones stated that government lawyers had failed too demonstrate a legal basis for detaining the couple under the foreign enemy law.
As of Saturday,a request for comment left with the couple’s attorney had not been returned.
Accusations and the Law of Foreign Enemies
The couple is accused of being associated with the Aragua Train, an organization previously designated as a foreign terrorist entity by the Trump administration.The government has invoked the Law of Foreign Enemies of 1798, which allows for the deportation of non-citizens who have resided in the U.S. for 14 years or more and originate from a country at war with the United States.
Supreme Court Intervention
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked the deportation of a Venezuelan individual arrested in North Texas under the same law. The high court also stipulated that individuals facing deportation under the Trump-era policy are entitled to a hearing in federal court and a “reasonable time” to contest their removal.
Scope of the Ruling
Judge Briones’ ruling specifically applies to Venezuelan immigrants held in federal custody within his judicial district. Federal magistrates in Colorado, Southern Texas, and New York have issued similar rulings. Briones mandated that the government provide 21 days’ notice before attempting to remove anyone from West Texas, a significant increase from the 12 hours the government claims is sufficient.
Clash Over Immigration Policy
The El Paso case emerges amidst ongoing tensions between the federal administration and local authorities regarding stricter immigration measures initiated under the Trump administration. Coincidentally, the ruling coincided with the FBI’s arrest of a Milwaukee judge accused of aiding an individual in evading immigration authorities.
Due process Concerns
Briones, appointed to the court in 1994 by President Bill Clinton, emphasized that “the due process for the removal of non-citizens are well established” under immigration law and previous Supreme Court decisions.
“There is no doubt that the unprecedented use in the peace of peace of the power of war by the Executive Power has caused chaos and uncertainty for individual requests,as well as for the Judiciary in how to manage and evaluate the Executive’s claims about membership in the Train of Aragua,and the invocation of the Law of Foreign Enemies as a whole,”
Details of the Couple’s Case
Julio César Sánchez Puentes and Luddis Norelia Sánchez García,the couple in question,initially received temporary protected status after entering the U.S. from Mexico in October 2022.they were subsequently informed that their status would expire on April 1.
On April 16, they were apprehended at the El Paso airport while en route back to their home in Washington, D.C., where they reside with their three children. They had traveled to Texas for a pre-trial hearing on April 14 related to their deportation proceedings. The hearing was postponed until June 23, and the couple was released on bail, according to court documents.
Texas Judge Blocks Venezuelan Immigrant Deportations: Your Questions Answered
here’s a breakdown of the recent court ruling regarding Venezuelan immigrants in Texas, answered in a question-and-answer format to make it easy to understand.
Q: What’s the main issue addressed in the recent ruling?
A: A federal judge in West Texas has temporarily halted the deportation of Venezuelan immigrants. The judge cited an 18th-century law, the Law of Foreign Enemies, as a basis for the decision. This ruling aligns with similar decisions made by other courts across the country.
Q: which judge made this ruling and what was the specific order?
A: U.S. District Judge David Briones, presiding in El Paso, issued the order. He directed the release of a Venezuelan couple who were accused of affiliation with a criminal gang. The judge stated that government lawyers hadn’t demonstrated a legal basis for detaining the couple under the “foreign enemy” law.
Q: Who is this couple, and what are they accused of?
A: The couple, Julio César Sánchez Puentes and Luddis Norelia Sánchez García, is accused of being associated with the Aragua Train.This organization was previously designated as a foreign terrorist entity by the trump governance.
Q: What is the “Law of Foreign Enemies” and why is it being used here?
A: The government is invoking the Law of Foreign Enemies of 1798. This law allows for the deportation of non-citizens who have lived in the U.S. for 14 years or longer and originate from a country at war with the United States.
Q: Has the Supreme Court addressed this issue?
A: Yes, earlier this month, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked the deportation of another Venezuelan individual arrested in North Texas under the same law. the high court also ruled that individuals facing deportation under this policy are entitled to a hearing in federal court and a “reasonable time” to contest their removal.
Q: Where does Judge Briones’ ruling apply?
A: Judge Briones’ ruling specifically applies to venezuelan immigrants held in federal custody within his judicial district (West Texas).Similar rulings have been issued by federal magistrates in Colorado, Southern Texas, and New York.
Q: What is the difference in notification time ordered by Judge Briones?
A: Judge Briones mandated that the government provide 21 days’ notice before attempting to remove anyone from West Texas.This is a significant increase from the 12 hours the government claims is sufficient.
Q: What context surrounds this ruling?
A: The El Paso case arises amidst ongoing tensions between the federal administration and local authorities regarding stricter immigration measures initiated under the Trump administration.
Q: What point did Judge Briones emphasize in his ruling?
A: Judge Briones emphasized that “the due process for the removal of non-citizens are well established” under immigration law and previous Supreme Court decisions.
Q: What was the couple’s immigration journey?
A: Julio César Sánchez Puentes and Luddis Norelia Sánchez García received temporary protected status after entering the U.S. from Mexico in October 2022. They were informed that their status would expire on April 1. On April 16,they were apprehended at the El paso airport while returning to their home in Washington,D.C. They had traveled to Texas for a pre-trial hearing on April 14 related to their deportation proceedings. the hearing was postponed until June 23, and the couple was released on bail.
Q: When was the article published?
A: The article was published on April 26, 2025, at 4:08 PM CDT.