Venezuelan deportee welcomes chance to return to US but fears detention

A US judge ordered that some Venezuelan men deported to El Salvador be allowed to return to the United States to challenge their deportations; one deportee said he wants to return to clear his name but fears being detained again.

A US federal judge has ordered that some Venezuelan men sent to a prison in El Salvador be allowed to return to the United States to challenge their deportations. Judge James Boasberg said the men were denied due process after being expelled last March and instructed the government to facilitate returns and cover travel costs for those living outside Venezuela. The order in principle applies to 137 men deported under the Alien Enemies Act and prioritizes those now in third countries. One of the men affected, Luis Muñoz Pinto, said he wants to return to clear his name but fears being detained again. Key points: - US district judge James Boasberg ordered the government to allow some deportees to return to the US to seek review of their immigration cases and to cover travel costs for those outside Venezuela. - The order in principle applies to 137 men deported under the Alien Enemies Act, with priority for those currently living in third countries. - Luis Muñoz Pinto, a deportee now living in Colombia, said he wants to return to defend himself but fears detention if he is allowed back into the US. - A White House spokesperson criticized the ruling as unlawful, and the judge asked the administration to explain the feasibility of returning plaintiffs still in Venezuela. Summary: The ruling could allow a small number of deportees to seek court review in the United States, affecting their ability to challenge deportations. The government must now facilitate returns for those outside Venezuela and report on whether it is feasible to return men still in Venezuela. The number of men who may choose to return is uncertain, as noted by the judge.