Trump’s violates Constitution with treatment of immigrants, legal residents

Editor:

President Trump issued the Alien Enemies Act on March 15, 2025. The reason for issuing the Alien Enemies Act, according to the White House proclamation, was an invasion by the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang directed from Venezuelan government. (Note, if we are being invaded by Venezuela why did the Trump administration send troops to Los Angeles?)

The Administration alleges that the gang is engaged in “undermining public safety and supporting the Maduro regime’s goal of destabilizing democratic nations in the Americas, including the United States.”

Mr. Trump’s own intelligence disputes these claims, meaning there is no supporting evidence for the Alien Enemies Act. Mr. Trump is using this act to detain and deport citizens of foreign countries especially citizens from Central and South America or Africa, (except white Africans), without due process, in violation of the Constitution.

The immigration officers used to detain and arrest immigrants use full military tactical gear and facial coverings to hide their identities like a secret police force. The reason given for the masks is to avoid being doxed by bystanders.

But they are operating more like a secret police force of an authoritarian regime. For example, they targeted legal residents Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk for their constitutionally protected free speech in opposition to Israelian action.

Further, despite a court order preventing the deportation of alleged migrants to a prison in El Salvador, they were deported without due process; also, in violation of the Constitution.  Recently, agents have detained and handcuffed officials without a warrant for doing their mandated oversight, in violation of the Constitution.

Contrary to official explanations, video and audio recording show that the officials were not interfering with agents’ official duties. These violation of the Constitution should concern all citizens.

William Fine

Brockport