A federal court has stepped in to stop the Trump administration from transferring three Venezuelan immigrants to Guantánamo Bay. The move has sparked debate over the president’s approach to detaining people who enter the country without permission.
Key Facts:
- Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales in New Mexico granted a temporary restraining order on Sunday.
- The three Venezuelan men in question are accused by the administration of having ties to the Tren de Aragua gang.
- Their attorneys say the government has not provided proper legal processes or adequate counsel access.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt both confirmed that flights carrying illegal immigrants have been sent to Guantánamo.
- Trump has pledged to expand the camp to hold up to 30,000 “criminal illegal aliens.”
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The Rest of The Story:
According to court filings, the lawyers representing the three men argue that the administration’s plan to hold them at the U.S. naval station in Cuba is unlawful.
They believe the government’s accusations of gang connections are unfounded.
By granting a temporary restraining order, Judge Gonzales has effectively paused the transfer process until the court can conduct a more thorough review.
Immigrant advocacy groups, including the Center for Constitutional Rights and the ACLU of New Mexico, have raised concerns over the conditions in Guantánamo and the possibility of limited access to legal counsel.
The three Venezuelans, already in custody in New Mexico, remain in the United States while the court case moves forward.
CLOSED BORDER: The efforts by anti-deportation NGOs are never ending. Yesterday three groups sued Trump to stop him from sending Venezuelan illegals to Guantanamo Bay. The Obama-appointed judge dutifully blocked ICE from sending the illegals to Gitmo. pic.twitter.com/WunvmTBCVB
— @amuse (@amuse) February 10, 2025
Commentary:
This decision by the federal judge is outrageous.
The president has every right to send individuals who are here illegally to any facility in the United States or its territories, including Guantánamo, if he believes it is best for national security.
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Some judges appear more interested in protecting people who cross our borders illegally than in respecting the right of the executive branch to maintain safety.
The Constitution gives the president authority over immigration and border enforcement, yet this ruling undermines that power.
We fully expect an appeals court to overturn such a short-sighted decision.
The administration’s duty is to protect American citizens, and officials should be allowed to do what is needed to handle those who break our immigration laws.
Once again, this shows that opponents of the administration’s policies often prioritize the interests of people who are not citizens over the wellbeing of the American public.
It is time for higher courts to step in and restore clarity.
The Bottom Line:
A New Mexico judge granted a temporary reprieve to three Venezuelan immigrants facing transfer to Guantánamo.
The ruling blocks the president’s plan for now, but appeals are likely.
This case highlights ongoing tensions between judicial decisions and executive authority on immigration.
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