Latest news with #RobertF.KennedyHumanRights
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Immigrant rights groups sue to invalidate Trump administration's El Salvador prison deal
A coalition of immigrant rights groups on Thursday sued to invalidate the Trump administration's deal to house detainees in a notorious prison in El Salvador, saying the arrangement to move migrant detainees outside the reach of U.S. courts violates the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., notes that the administration has argued that those sent to El Salvador are beyond the reach of U.S. courts and no longer have access to due process rights or other U.S. constitutional guarantees. The deal, the plaintiffs allege, 'is contrary to law. And it was entered into without any legal basis.' The administration has sent hundreds of migrants to El Salvador, including some it accuses of being members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The administration in March agreed to pay $6 million for El Salvador to house 300 migrants. President Donald Trump has said he'd like to eventually send U.S. citizen criminals to the Salvadoran prison, though that'd likely be unconstitutional. The lawsuit notes that the State Department has reported that inmates in El Salvador's prisons may be subject to 'harsh and life-threatening' conditions, torture and lack access to reliable food, water and medical care. The prisons are run by the government of El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, who once called himself 'the world's coolest dictator' and has posted images of detainees sent from the U.S. getting marched into his centerpiece prison, the Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In one notorious case cited in the lawsuit, the Trump administration has not returned Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man it deported to El Salvador in violation of a judge's order, saying the man is no longer in its custody. That was the administration's argument when another judge ordered it to halt deportations under an 18th century wartime act — that the deportees were on a plane to El Salvador and outside the legal reach of federal judges. The suit was filed by Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Immigrant Equality, the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice and Democracy Forward, which is co-counsel in a separate lawsuit over the initial flights to El Salvador. Thursday's lawsuit says the deal violates the Administrative Procedures Act, which prevents agencies like the State Department, which reached the deal with El Salvador, from undertaking unconstitutional or otherwise illegal acts. In addition to violating the constitution, the suit notes that housing prisoners in El Salvador violates the First Step Act, a law requiring federal prisons to try to house inmates close to home. That law was signed by Trump in 2018.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Immigrant rights groups sue to invalidate Trump administration's El Salvador prison deal
A coalition of immigrant rights groups on Thursday sued to invalidate the Trump administration's deal to house detainees in a notorious prison in El Salvador, saying the arrangement to move migrant detainees outside the reach of U.S. courts violates the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., notes that the administration has argued that those sent to El Salvador are beyond the reach of U.S. courts and no longer have access to due process rights or other U.S. constitutional guarantees. The deal, the plaintiffs allege, 'is contrary to law. And it was entered into without any legal basis.' The administration has sent hundreds of migrants to El Salvador, including some it accuses of being members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The administration in March agreed to pay $6 million for El Salvador to house 300 migrants. President Donald Trump has said he'd like to eventually send U.S. citizen criminals to the Salvadoran prison, though that'd likely be unconstitutional. The lawsuit notes that the State Department has reported that inmates in El Salvador's prisons may be subject to 'harsh and life-threatening' conditions, torture and lack access to reliable food, water and medical care. The prisons are run by the government of El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, who once called himself 'the world's coolest dictator' and has posted images of detainees sent from the U.S. getting marched into his centerpiece prison, the Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In one notorious case cited in the lawsuit, the Trump administration has not returned Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man it deported to El Salvador in violation of a judge's order, saying the man is no longer in its custody. That was the administration's argument when another judge ordered it to halt deportations under an 18th century wartime act — that the deportees were on a plane to El Salvador and outside the legal reach of federal judges. The suit was filed by Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Immigrant Equality, the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice and Democracy Forward, which is co-counsel in a separate lawsuit over the initial flights to El Salvador. Thursday's lawsuit says the deal violates the Administrative Procedures Act, which prevents agencies like the State Department, which reached the deal with El Salvador, from undertaking unconstitutional or otherwise illegal acts. In addition to violating the constitution, the suit notes that housing prisoners in El Salvador violates the First Step Act, a law requiring federal prisons to try to house inmates close to home. That law was signed by Trump in 2018.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Immigrant rights groups sue to invalidate Trump administration's El Salvador prison deal
A coalition of immigrant rights groups on Thursday sued to invalidate the Trump administration's deal to house detainees in a notorious prison in El Salvador, saying the arrangement to move migrant detainees outside the reach of U.S. courts violates the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., notes that the administration has argued that those sent to El Salvador are beyond the reach of U.S. courts and no longer have access to due process rights or other U.S. constitutional guarantees. The deal, the plaintiffs allege, 'is contrary to law. And it was entered into without any legal basis.' The administration has sent hundreds of migrants to El Salvador, including some it accuses of being members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The administration in March agreed to pay $6 million for El Salvador to house 300 migrants. President Donald Trump has said he'd like to eventually send U.S. citizen criminals to the Salvadoran prison, though that'd likely be unconstitutional. The lawsuit notes that the State Department has reported that inmates in El Salvador's prisons may be subject to 'harsh and life-threatening' conditions, torture and lack access to reliable food, water and medical care. The prisons are run by the government of El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, who once called himself 'the world's coolest dictator' and has posted images of detainees sent from the U.S. getting marched into his centerpiece prison, the Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In one notorious case cited in the lawsuit, the Trump administration has not returned Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man it deported to El Salvador in violation of a judge's order, saying the man is no longer in its custody. That was the administration's argument when another judge ordered it to halt deportations under an 18th century wartime act — that the deportees were on a plane to El Salvador and outside the legal reach of federal judges. The suit was filed by Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Immigrant Equality, the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice and Democracy Forward, which is co-counsel in a separate lawsuit over the initial flights to El Salvador. Thursday's lawsuit says the deal violates the Administrative Procedures Act, which prevents agencies like the State Department, which reached the deal with El Salvador, from undertaking unconstitutional or otherwise illegal acts. In addition to violating the constitution, the suit notes that housing prisoners in El Salvador violates the First Step Act, a law requiring federal prisons to try to house inmates close to home. That law was signed by Trump in 2018.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Colorado immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra wins Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award
DENVER (KDVR) — A Colorado immigration activist facing deportation after being detained by immigration officials in March is one of the latest recipients of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, an organization that aims to pursue the late senator and former attorney general's 'dream of a more just and peaceful world' through litigation, business and education efforts, every year awards 'champions of social justice who stand up to oppression, even at great personal risk, in the nonviolent pursuit of human rights.' City breaks ground on $2M renovation of La Raza Park For their 2025 class of award recipients, the organization recognized Colorado's Jeanette Vizguerra, along with Maine Gov. Janet Mills and former U.S. Department of Justice Pardon Attorney Elizabeth Oyer. 'As the daughter of our former attorney general, I know firsthand the necessity of protecting and preserving our democracy,' said Kerry Kennedy, president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. 'From taking a stand against unlawful executive orders and bolstering the moral strength of the Department of Justice to advocating for vulnerable immigrants, these women have chosen to stand up for their beliefs during a time when it is increasingly difficult to do so. I'm honored to recognize Governor Mills, Elizabeth Oyer, and Jeanette Vizguerra, and I hope that this award is a beacon of hope for others like them.' ICE took Vizguerra into custody on March 17 and said that she illegally entered the U.S. and has a final order of deportation. Vizguerra's legal team has since petitioned under the argument that there was no valid removal order to detain Vizguerra. Vizguerra came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1997 with her husband and eldest daughter and has fought her deportation and for immigrant rights since 2009. She took refuge in a Denver church in 2017 during President Donald Trump's first term, and her legal team has said her targeting and detainment in March were politically motivated. She was also recognized in 2017 as one of Time Magazine's most influential people for her efforts. This Denver metro suburb is among the fastest growing American cities: US Census 'Recently, while detained in a detention center, I received the news that I had received this human rights award. I thank RFK Human Rights for this honor,' Vizguerra said in a press release. She said she has used her own resources in her fight for immigration rights and hopes to continue doing so. 'The government wants to silence my voice, but I will continue to sow rebellion until I reap freedom,' Vizguerra said. 'This award is not only for me but for every person who has been involved in my life—especially my children and my immigrant community. I hope our voices are never silenced.' Mills, Oyer, and Vizguerra will be recognized during a public ceremony on June 5 at the Kennedy Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
We heard first hand the horrors of El Salvador mega prison housing Trump's deportees
The Trump administration would have you believe that the 288 human beings kidnapped off our streets and flown to El Salvador last month without due process, in violation of a judge's order, are all gang members. We believe that is a lie. My organization, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, is representing 10 Venezuelan clients who were taken by ICE agents. The vast majority were in the United States legally. They had Temporary Protected Status (TPS), passed credible fear interviews, or were awaiting asylum applications to be processed. What the Trump administration has done to these men is not just illegal — it is morally reprehensible. For over three years, El Salvador has operated under a state of exception that suspends basic constitutional rights. On a recent human rights delegation to San Salvador, we spoke with local organizations, independent journalists and survivors of detention. They described in horrifying detail what can only be called systemic torture. Detainees endure regular beatings and starvation diets. One man we met entered detention weighing 200 pounds and left a year later at 108. He showed us pictures to prove it. The overcrowding is inhumane at the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT. Survivors told us that cells built for 50 people — evidenced by 50 cots — held up to 250 prisoners with access to one non-functioning toilet. Water was so scarce they drank the same water they bathed in — and even that was limited to five 8-ounce cups per person. Medical care is virtually nonexistent. One detainee, who had suffered a stroke days before his arrest, watched as guards crushed his medication and threw it in the trash. There's no access to family or lawyers. Families are not told whether their loved ones are alive or dead, or even which prison might be holding them. These prisoners are, in effect, forcibly disappeared. They exist in a legal maze where charges shift without documentation. One day it's gang membership, the next it's terrorism. Or they're told they're being released — but 'soon' never comes. Nearly 80% of people suffering these abuses have not been convicted and will be tried in mass hearings. Meanwhile, organizations like Cristosal and Socorro Jurídico have confirmed at least 378 deaths in prison under these conditions. Try to imagine the cruelty, the horror. It's not a coincidence that in January, the Trump administration slashed funding for human rights organizations and independent journalists in El Salvador. The United States has withdrawn from its historic role as a partner for democratic actors in Central America and elsewhere. This administration has created perfect conditions for abuse to thrive in darkness. The treatment of Venezuelan detainees sent from our country violates international law, U.S. asylum law and basic human dignity. When we allow our government to treat any person this way, we compromise our national commitment to human rights and erode the foundation of our democracy. This crisis is bigger than the 288 individuals already harmed. They represent countless others caught between governments that see human rights as inconvenient, rather than essential. As Americans, we must demand transparency and accountability. Congress must strengthen oversight. Independent investigations must be allowed. Lawyers must have access to their clients. And most urgently, these detainees must receive due process, medical care and humane treatment as their cases move forward. For those wondering what they can do, start by contacting your representatives, supporting human rights organizations and refusing to look away. The first step in ending abuse is exposing it — and that is exactly what the perpetrators fear most. These men, and others like them, cannot wait for a more convenient political moment. Their suffering demands immediate attention and action. Their humanity deserves nothing less. Kerry Kennedy is an activist, attorney and president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. She is the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and his wife Ethel Kennedy.
