Letters to elected representatives
- Andrew Meunier
- Apr 7
- 5 min read
Regarding the Trump Administration's use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport 238 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador.
April 8, 2025
Representative Elise Stefanik
99 Troy Road
Suite 312
East Greenbush, NY 12061
Dear Representative Stefanik:
I am writing because I am increasingly disturbed by news of the 238 Venezuelan migrants that have been deported to El Salvador and imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center there.
I heard about this action through a March 29th episode of The Joe Rogan Experience as well as a recent feature on CBS 60 Minutes. It has been reported that most of these migrants had no criminal record in the United States or in Venezuela (aside from illegally crossing the U.S. border to seek legal asylum). Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office director Robert Cerna has stated that at least one of these migrants, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was deported due to an error, yet there has been no effort to affect his return. I have been trying to understand the administration’s actions around these deportations and am unconvinced that due process was provided to these people.
The legal basis for President Trump used of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to initiate these deportations is being litigated as I write this. The fact that no Congressionally declared state of war exists between the U.S. and Tren de Aragua makes me skeptical of the President’s use of the AEA. Even if the administration prevails in the courts, the fact that Venezuelan migrants were deported not to their home country, but to a brutal prison in El Salvador, is needlessly cruel and un-American. The videos of the conditions in this facility, together with the lawless process by which these people were exiled to it, should offend any citizen of a democracy where the rule of law and due process are held paramount. The prospect of even one innocent person being held in such a place without any communication with the outside world or hope for justice is repellant.
I urge you and your colleagues to consider the dire ramifications of these actions for these individuals and their families as well as the President’s potential misuse of the AEA. How will you convince your constituents that such a drastic and brutal action was taken with only the utmost care and respect for the rights of the accused? Failing that, what will you and your colleagues do to protest and correct this erosion of our rights?
Respectfully,
Andrew Meunier
April 8, 2025
Senator Chuck Schumer
Leo W. O’Brien Federal Office Bldg.
11A Clinton Ave, Rm 827
Albany, NY 12207
Dear Senator Schumer:
I am writing because I am increasingly disturbed by news of the 238 Venezuelan migrants that have been deported to El Salvador and imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center there.
It has been reported that most of these migrants had no criminal record in the United States or in Venezuela (aside from illegally crossing the U.S. border to seek legal asylum). Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office director Robert Cerna has stated that at least one of these migrants, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was deported due to an error, yet there has been no effort to affect his return. I have been trying to understand the administration’s actions around these deportations and am unconvinced that due process was provided to these people.
The legal basis for President Trump used of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to initiate these deportations is being litigated as I write this. The fact that no Congressionally declared state of war exists between the U.S. and Tren de Aragua makes me skeptical of the President’s use of the AEA. Even if the administration prevails in the courts, the fact that Venezuelan migrants were deported not to their home country, but to a brutal prison in El Salvador, is needlessly cruel and un-American. The videos of the conditions in this facility, together with the lawless process by which these people were exiled to it, should offend any citizen of a democracy where the rule of law and due process are held paramount. The prospect of even one innocent person being held in such a place without any communication with the outside world or hope for justice is repellant.
Illegal immigration, our clearly broken asylum system, and crime generally are issues where the Democratic Party has failed to lead for years. Perhaps rightly, it was rebuked for this failure in November 2024. Political caution may be the reason why I have not heard a full-throated response to these lawless actions by the Trump Administration. However, as a registered Democrat, an American who respects the rule of law, and a believer in basic human rights, I argue that it is essential that every Democratic elected official decry these actions in all forums and with maximum urgency.
Respectfully,
Andrew Meunier
April 8, 2025
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Leo W. O’Brien Federal Office Bldg.
11A Clinton Ave, Rm 821
Albany, NY 12207
Dear Senator Gillibrand:
I am writing because I am increasingly disturbed by news of the 238 Venezuelan migrants that have been deported to El Salvador and imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center there.
It has been reported that most of these migrants had no criminal record in the United States or in Venezuela (aside from illegally crossing the U.S. border to seek legal asylum). Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office director Robert Cerna has stated that at least one of these migrants, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was deported due to an error, yet there has been no effort to affect his return. I have been trying to understand the administration’s actions around these deportations and am unconvinced that due process was provided to these people.
The legal basis for President Trump used of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to initiate these deportations is being litigated as I write this. The fact that no Congressionally declared state of war exists between the U.S. and Tren de Aragua makes me skeptical of the President’s use of the AEA. Even if the administration prevails in the courts, the fact that Venezuelan migrants were deported not to their home country, but to a brutal prison in El Salvador, is needlessly cruel and un-American. The videos of the conditions in this facility, together with the lawless process by which these people were exiled to it, should offend any citizen of a democracy where the rule of law and due process are held paramount. The prospect of even one innocent person being held in such a place without any communication with the outside world or hope for justice is repellant.
Illegal immigration, our clearly broken asylum system, and crime generally are issues where the Democratic Party has failed to lead for years. Perhaps rightly, it was rebuked for this failure in November 2024. Political caution may be the reason why I have not heard a full-throated response to these lawless actions by the Trump Administration. However, as a registered Democrat, an American who respects the rule of law, and a believer in basic human rights, I argue that it is essential that every Democratic elected official decry these actions in all forums and with maximum urgency.
Respectfully,
Andrew Meunier
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