A Venezuelan couple, Julio Cesar Sanchez Puentes and Luddis Norelia Sanchez Garcia, along with their three children, have been living in the United States under Temporary Protected Status since their arrival in October 2022. They initially faced detention due to accusations of being associated with the criminal gang Tren de Aragua. On April 25, a federal judge in Texas, David Briones, ruled against their deportation, stating that the government’s claims lacked substantial evidence and were based on unreliable hearsay.
Briones criticized the Trump administration’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, arguing that it created chaos and uncertainty regarding immigration proceedings. He asserted that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to provide a lawful basis for continued detention. Following the ruling, the couple was released and returned to D.C. to be with their children. They had faced termination of their protected status, purportedly due to their alleged gang affiliation, which Briones found unsubstantiated.
Their attorney, Chris Benoit, expressed satisfaction with the decision, emphasizing the unjust nature of the accusations against the couple, who have deep community ties and have lived peacefully since their arrival. The case gained attention as it mirrored broader issues involving Venezuelan migrants in the U.S. The Supreme Court had recently intervened to halt deportations of Venezuelan men under similar accusations, emphasizing the importance of due process. Briones’ ruling highlighted the need for careful evaluation of claims made by the government regarding immigration and national security, especially in the context of wartime powers being used in peacetime circumstances.
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