Key Takeaways
• Trump administration used the Alien Enemies Act to deport a Venezuelan barber accused of gang ties.
• The ACLU filed an emergency lawsuit, claiming the deportation uses wartime powers unlawfully during peacetime.
• A judge paused deportation, setting a May 15th hearing for G.M.G.’s asylum case in Massachusetts.
A Venezuelan barber working in Rhode Island 🇺🇸 is currently at the center of an important legal fight that is drawing national attention. This case involves the Trump administration’s use of an old wartime law to deport the man, and the swift legal response from the ACLU to try to stop his removal. The situation highlights not only personal hardship for the man but also bigger debates about the limits of presidential power, fair treatment of immigrants, and the use of laws in ways they may not have been intended.
Who Is the Venezuelan Barber and Why Is He in the News?
The barber, who is called “G.M.G.” in legal documents, came from Venezuela 🇻🇪 to the United States 🇺🇸 in 2023. He says he escaped political persecution, meaning he believes he was treated unfairly and could be in danger for his political views if he returned home. Since arriving, he has worked as a barber in Rhode Island, trying to start over and build a safe life.
But his new life took a dramatic turn in March 2025 when officials from the Department of Homeland Security arrested him while he was at work. He was then brought to Wyatt Detention Center, a local facility where people are held while their immigration cases are being decided. The government said they believed G.M.G. was part of Tren de Aragua, which is known as a dangerous Venezuelan gang, mainly because of his tattoos. G.M.G. completely denies these claims. He says his tattoos are only personal and have nothing to do with any group or crime. He is even afraid that Tren de Aragua would harm him if he were forced to go back to Venezuela.
How the Trump Administration Is Using the Alien Enemies Act
What makes this case stand out is the law being used by the Trump administration. President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a law from 1798. This law was mostly made for times of war to remove and detain people from countries the United States 🇺🇸 was fighting against. Past presidents rarely used this law, and almost always during real wartime.
Now, President Trump’s team is using the Alien Enemies Act for people from Venezuela—even though there is no war between the United States 🇺🇸 and Venezuela 🇻🇪. This is a big change and raises a question whether it is legal or fair to use a wartime law during peacetime, especially against asylum seekers.
The official reason given for using the law in G.M.G.’s case is to make it easier and faster to deport certain foreign nationals, or people from other countries. But this approach skips many of the usual legal protections that are part of normal immigration processes. This is why immigrant advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), are deeply worried.
What the ACLU and Immigration Lawyers Are Arguing
The ACLU has filed an emergency lawsuit asking courts to block G.M.G.’s deportation. They say using a law meant for times of war to remove peaceful asylum seekers is both unlawful and a dangerous overreach of presidential powers. The ACLU also claims the government’s actions ignore basic due process—meaning the fair and proper way to treat people under the law.
The ACLU argues that:
– The Alien Enemies Act should not be used during peacetime for people who have not done anything wrong.
– G.M.G. has not been given a fair chance to present his side of the story.
– There is no strong proof he is in a gang.
– Deporting him quickly without a full hearing goes against the protections promised in the U.S. Constitution.
In fact, court records show the immigration judge agreed with the government and decided G.M.G. did not qualify for a bond (a chance for release) because of the unproven gang ties. This was decided before G.M.G. could speak or show all his evidence.
Lee Gelernt, Deputy Director of the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project, summed up their position:
“The Trump administration’s intent to use a wartime authority for immigration enforcement is as unprecedented as it is lawless… There is no foreign military action… making [these] actions not only unlawful but an outright assault on fundamental rights.”
Safeguards and Legal Developments
For now, the courts have given G.M.G. some limited protection. On May 5th, Judge Melissa DuBose ordered that federal authorities cannot move or deport him from Rhode Island without providing at least 48 hours’ notice. This pause gives his team time to fight the deportation and gather evidence while the broader case proceeds.
At the same time, the ACLU is asking for a temporary restraining order—this is another way to keep G.M.G. from being deported right away, while the bigger legal questions about the Alien Enemies Act get worked out in court.
G.M.G.’s next main immigration hearing, linked to his original asylum request and not the wartime law issue, is set for May 15th in Massachusetts 🇺🇸. This hearing will focus only on whether he can stay in the United States as an asylum seeker. The two legal battles—the immediate question of deportation under the Alien Enemies Act and the asylum claim—are running alongside each other, so the case is quite complicated.
What Does This Mean for Other Venezuelan Migrants and the Country?
This case is not just about one Venezuelan barber. Across the country, many Venezuelans are looking for safety in the United States, often because they fear violence or government oppression back home. The Trump administration’s new way of using the Alien Enemies Act could affect many more people in similar situations.
There are other lawsuits moving through the courts in different states challenging these tactics. For example, courts have blocked or opposed similar attempts to quickly deport people from Texas detention centers without fair hearings. That means this Rhode Island case could set an example or create new rules for what presidents can and cannot do with immigration law, especially with old laws that were not written for peacetime.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals a growing trend of lawsuits and legal pushbacks against efforts to speed up deportations without normal due process. Many legal experts and advocates warn that allowing wartime powers to apply during peacetime could threaten the rights of many more immigrants, not just Venezuelans.
Due Process: Simple Explanation
Due process is a basic promise in the United States legal system. It means the government must follow fair steps before taking away anyone’s freedom, property, or rights. In immigration cases, this usually means a person should get a full hearing, a chance to speak, show evidence, and have a lawyer if they want. Skipping these steps, critics say, is unfair and leads to mistakes that can harm innocent people.
In G.M.G.’s case, the ACLU says he was not given this fair treatment. He did not get to explain the real meaning of his tattoos or bring in evidence to clear up misunderstandings about him and Tren de Aragua.
How Using Tattoos as Evidence Can Cause Problems
Groups like the ACLU point out that using tattoos alone to accuse someone of being a gang member can be unfair. Tattoos are popular in many cultures and can have personal or family meanings. Assuming that a tattoo proves a criminal link is risky, especially when someone could be punished or deported because of it. Many immigrant rights supporters argue that honest people fleeing danger might be wrongly accused because of how they look or what kind of art they have on their bodies.
What Could Happen Next?
The fate of G.M.G. is still not decided. For now, he cannot be removed from Rhode Island without notice, which gives his lawyers a small window to fight for his rights. Much will depend on the outcome of both the next immigration hearing on May 15th and the bigger court cases about using wartime powers during peacetime.
Possible next steps:
– If the courts side with the ACLU, G.M.G. may get a chance to stay and continue his asylum case with full due process.
– If courts agree with the Trump administration, fast-track removals using the Alien Enemies Act could become more common for certain groups, not just Venezuelans.
– The case may go to higher courts and could even set new legal rules for future presidents on how they manage immigration and what limits they face.
Why the Legal Battle Matters
This situation is more than just about one person. It is about how the United States 🇺🇸 treats immigrants, what laws can be used in times of peace, and whether people will get the fair hearings promised under the Constitution. These legal questions are important not just for Venezuelans, but for all people who come to the United States seeking safety.
Immigrant rights groups say that bending the old laws in new ways could create a slippery slope. They fear once a president uses wartime powers to skip normal rules, it becomes easier to do so for other reasons or groups in the future. Opponents of the Trump administration’s tactics think it sends the wrong message to the world about America’s values and can put innocent lives at risk.
What Can Affected People and Their Families Do?
For families facing similar issues, and for people worried about their own status, it is important to know about their rights and the law. Organizations like the ACLU, legal aid groups, and trusted immigration lawyers can offer advice and, in some cases, help defend against fast-track deportation.
Interested people can also find more detailed information about asylum, removal proceedings, and their legal options on the official USCIS asylum page.
Looking Ahead: The Bigger Picture
The case of the Venezuelan barber in Rhode Island will likely shape how the courts and the public see the balance between keeping the country safe and making sure everyone gets fair treatment. As arguments continue in courtrooms, the outcome could have lasting effects on future immigrants and executive power.
For now, the pause in the deportation process is giving G.M.G. another chance to be heard, but much remains uncertain. Advocates, the courts, and the Trump administration are all waiting to see how the next steps unfold. What happens in this case will be watched nationwide and could play a large role in how United States 🇺🇸 immigration laws are enforced in years to come.
Learn Today
Alien Enemies Act → A 1798 U.S. law allowing the President to detain or deport citizens of enemy nations during war.
Due Process → Legal requirement ensuring fair treatment through hearings, evidence, and representation before depriving rights or freedoms.
Asylum Seeker → A person who requests protection in another country due to persecution fears in their homeland.
Wyatt Detention Center → A facility in Rhode Island where individuals are held while their immigration cases are pending.
Tren de Aragua → A Venezuelan criminal gang accused of violent activities; alleged links are often used in immigration cases.
This Article in a Nutshell
A Venezuelan barber in Rhode Island faces deportation under the centuries-old Alien Enemies Act. The ACLU intervened, challenging the Trump administration’s use of wartime laws during peacetime. The case, focusing on due process, tattoos as evidence, and presidential power, could set key precedents for future immigration enforcement nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Venezuelan music teacher faces deportation as parole program ends
• Alien Enemies Act can’t be used to deport Venezuelans, Texas judge rules
• Venezuelan detainees at Bluebonnet Detention Center stage SOS protest
• US sends Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador’s mega-prison
• US judge orders release of Venezuelan couple, halts some deportations
