The Venezuelans were deported in March under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which gives a US president power to detain and deport natives or citizens of "enemy" nations without usual processes. They were accused of belonging to a gang, something many of the men's relatives and lawyers deny.

Families cheered the return of their relatives, who had been deported from the U.S., jailed in El Salvador and sent home months later in a swap with Venezuela.