A recently leaked intelligence report from the National Intelligence Council (NIC) directly contradicts President Donald Trump’s explosive claim that the Venezuelan government is orchestrating an invasion of the United States using the prison gang Tren de Aragua.
The classified document, dated earlier this month but first reported on April 18, 2025, reportedly found no credible evidence to support assertions that Venezuela has directed, coordinated, or supported a gang-led incursion into the U.S.
The NIC assessment deals a major blow to the Trump administration’s stated justification for its use of the Alien Enemies Act, which has enabled the fast-tracked deportation of suspected gang members without due process, stirring widespread legal and human rights concerns.
According to sources familiar with the content, the NIC concluded that while Tren de Aragua has expanded its operations internationally, including across Latin America and into parts of the U.S., there is no actionable intelligence suggesting a state-sponsored invasion plan by Venezuela.
This runs counter to Trump’s repeated public statements claiming that Venezuela is “sending hardened criminals across our borders” as part of what he termed an “unofficial act of aggression.”
The NIC document reportedly assessed the situation as part of a broader intelligence review following a spike in high-profile gang-related arrests near the southern U.S. border.
The report’s findings raise serious questions about the Trump administration’s recent immigration crackdown, which has relied on executive powers granted under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a rarely invoked law that allows for the deportation of nationals from hostile nations during times of declared threat.
Civil rights groups and immigration attorneys have already filed multiple legal challenges, arguing that the administration has failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify bypassing due process protections.
Critics argue that the policy may have been politically motivated, especially as immigration and national security remain dominant talking points ahead of the 2025 presidential election cycle.
However, supporters of the administration insist that border security risks remain high, and that the government must act proactively to prevent organized crime infiltration.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court has blocked the Trump administration from deporting foreign nationals under the Alien Enemies Act. Thomas, Alito dissent. pic.twitter.com/SsigpMnPf9
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) April 19, 2025
Despite the NIC’s conclusion, public reaction has been mixed. A significant portion of Trump’s base continues to support the president’s framing of the situation as a “foreign threat,” and conservative media outlets have amplified narratives of gang expansion without reference to the NIC’s findings.
On the other hand, immigration advocates and legal scholars are calling for immediate congressional scrutiny and a rollback of any deportations made under what they now argue is a debunked premise.
The NIC’s credibility, rooted in its role as a central coordinator of strategic intelligence analysis, makes the leak particularly damaging to the administration’s narrative.
With legal challenges mounting and political scrutiny growing, the Trump administration may face pressure to release an official rebuttal or shift its messaging. Congress is expected to request closed-door briefings on the NIC’s assessment and the broader legal basis for invoking the Alien Enemies Act.
If the intelligence community’s position holds, the deportation measures could face court injunctions, and the administration’s immigration authority might be significantly curtailed heading into the summer.
As the situation evolves, both sides are likely to double down on their narratives, fueling yet another national debate around security, sovereignty, and the limits of executive power.
 report finds no evidence supporting Trump’s claim of a Venezuelan-directed gang invasion.){kind=link}