Due Process

ACLU

organization

Filed multiple lawsuits challenging the crackdown. Released surveillance footage proving ICE lied about Mahmoud Khalil's arrest. Challenged Operation Metro Surge for racial profiling. Filed suit against Operation Return to Sender in Kern County for targeting Latino farmworkers.

American citizen detained by ICE agents outside a Walmart store and questioned about his immigration status despite being a US citizen.

The Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 — last used for Japanese internment in WWII — to deport alleged Tren de Aragua members without court proceedings. 238 Venezuelans deported to CECOT (137 under AEA, 101 under regular law). Flights departed despite a federal judge's TRO in J.G.G. v. Trump. On September 3, 2025, an appeals court blocked further use. On December 22, 2025, a judge ruled the deportations violated due process.

John Roberts

person

Chief Justice who authored the unanimous unsigned Supreme Court opinion on April 10, 2025, in the Abrego Garcia case, ruling the deportation illegal and ordering the government to "facilitate" his return. Drew a distinction between "facilitating" and "effectuating," leaving ambiguity about required government action.

Keith Ellison

person

Minnesota Attorney General who filed a federal lawsuit on January 12, 2026, with the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, against DHS, ICE, CBP, and Secretary Noem. Alleged Minnesota was targeted for its voting habits and political viewpoints, violating the First Amendment and equal sovereignty. Accused the White House of "politics and retribution" and called the crackdown a "cover-up."

Salvadoran immigrant married to a U.S. citizen, living in Maryland. Had "withholding of removal" status from an immigration judge since 2019 due to gang violence risk. Illegally deported March 2025 to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled the deportation illegal on April 10, 2025, ordering the government to "facilitate" his return. Returned June 6, 2025 — but immediately indicted on charges of "conspiracy to unlawfully transport illegal aliens." His defense has raised a "vindictive prosecution" claim; a federal judge ordered release of related records in December 2025.

Palestinian lawful permanent resident and Columbia graduate student arrested March 8, 2025, from his Manhattan apartment by ICE agents who entered without a judicial warrant (the government later admitted there was no warrant). ACLU surveillance footage showed Khalil was fully cooperative — contradicting DHS claims he tried to flee. Detained 104 days at LaSalle Detention Center in Jena, Louisiana. Released June 20, 2025, after a judge ruled his detention unconstitutional. Filed a $20 million damages claim in July 2025. In January 2026, an appeals court ruled he can be rearrested. Remains free on bail.

Mohsen Mahdawi

person

A ten-year legal U.S. resident, Columbia student, and Palestinian refugee camp-born activist. ICE agents arrested him at his U.S. citizenship interview — he was literally at his appointment to become a citizen. The Trump administration argued it could deport him for protest activity. A federal judge ordered his release.

Pam Bondi

person

Attorney General who provided legal backing for the Alien Enemies Act, sensitive-location raids, and the government's position in Abrego Garcia. Personally ordered Don Lemon's arrest on January 30, 2026, stating it was made "at my direction."

Los Angeles-based legal organization that won a federal injunction requiring ICE to provide attorney access to detained individuals.

Turkish PhD student at Tufts studying child development. Arrested March 25, 2025, by six masked plainclothes DHS agents in Somerville, Massachusetts, after her F-1 visa was revoked. The apparent basis: co-authoring a March 2024 op-ed in The Tufts Daily calling for divestment from companies tied to Israel. Transported 1,600 miles to South Louisiana ICE Processing Center. Released May 9, 2025, after a judge ruled detention "cannot stand." Has resumed studies but was removed from the international student database, preventing her from working.

Issued a unanimous ruling in April 2025 that the Abrego Garcia deportation was illegal. Accepted the birthright citizenship case (Barbara v. Trump) for oral arguments on April 1, 2026.