CIA Director John Ratcliffe testified on Wednesday that the agency currently has “no assessment” that the United States is at war with Venezuela after President Donald Trump invoked an act used to empower the president during times of war to deport gang members.
The White House invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a part of the Alien and Sedition Act passed in 1798 that grants the federal government additional authority over noncitizens who reside in the U.S. during times of war, to deport a group of Venezuelans that immigration officials allege are members of the Tren de Aragua gang.
During an appearance before the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, asked Ratcliffe about the use of the law to justify deportations.
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