• Venezuela will begin accepting deportation flights from the US again after agreeing to a deal with the Trump administration.
• US District Judge James Boasberg has ruled that Venezuelan migrants must have the right to contest claims of gang affiliation before deportation.
• The Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act has faced significant legal challenges amid accusations of violating due process rights.

Venezuela has announced that it will restart deportation flights from the United States following a deal reached with the Trump administration. This comes on the heels of a fraught legal backdrop where US District Judge James Boasberg has ruled against the administration's efforts to deport Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law that allows for expedited removals during wartime.

On March 15, the Trump administration deported 238 alleged members of the gang Tren de Aragua to El Salvador, invoking the law despite widespread criticism. Judge Boasberg subsequently issued a ruling indicating that those deported must have the opportunity to challenge their designation as gang members, which he argued is essential to preventing wrongful deportations. "Migrating is not a crime," said Venezuelan top negotiator Jorge Rodríguez in response to the growing legal challenges.

Judge Boasberg's ruling has complicated the Trump administration's initiative to leverage wartime powers for immigration enforcement, raising questions about due process rights under the Alien Enemies Act. Legal scholars argue the invocation of this act in the context of deporting alleged gang members without due process is highly unprecedented and controversial, especially given that no formal state of war exists against Venezuela.

The Trump administration maintains its position, claiming that the deportations are lawful and necessary for national security, while also arguing that many of those deported were properly vetted. Critics, including human rights advocates, contend that the move is not only legally dubious but poses severe risks to the individuals involved, who could face "torture and beatings" in El Salvador's prison system according to multiple reports.

As the situation unfolds, the US administration is appealing Judge Boasberg's order, with arguments scheduled for review in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. The outcomes of these hearings could strike at the heart of executive power in immigration policy and the broader implications of legislative authority versus presidential claims of national security.

For further details on this ongoing legal battle, refer to the reports from NY Times and India Times.