Jordan's Jumpman logo unexpectedly tied to U.S. deportations
Michael Jordan and his famous Jumpman logo (the Air Jordan brand logo) have been drawn into the controversy surrounding the deportation of Venezuelans by the Trump administration, reports the Daily Mail.
Michael Jordan, an NBA legend, unexpectedly found himself at the center of the controversy related to the deportations of Venezuelans. The reason? Donald Trump's administration is using his iconic Jumpman logo and clothing linked to the Chicago Bulls as potential indicators of affiliation with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
According to the Daily Mail, immigration authorities in Chicago suggested that wearing Chicago Bulls shirts, especially with Michael Jordan's number 23, and shoes with his logo, might imply affiliation with TdA.
Other documents, however, indicate that such clothing items are part of Venezuelan culture and do not necessarily signify gang affiliation.
Judge James Boasberg from Washington imposed a temporary ban on the deportation of alleged TdA members, citing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This decision was made in response to a lawsuit by Venezuelan migrants, who are challenging the legality of their expedited removal from the country.
The Trump administration claims that they did not violate Boasberg's ban, as the deportations occurred before the judge issued his ruling. The Department of Justice lawyers wrote that courts do not have the authority to manage how the president deals with terrorists abroad.
Boasberg's decision was met with criticism from Trump, who called for him to be impeached.
Mass deportations from the USA
In January, the U.S. Congress passed a law enabling the arrest and deportation of immigrants suspected of violating the law. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated, "We have deported known terrorists, cartel members, and gang members from our country." She also announced that the number of deportations would increase.
Kristi Noem added that immigrants staying in the country illegally have the option of "self-deportation" and may return to the USA legally in the future.
Currently, 61-year-old Michael Jordan, a two-time Olympic champion (1984 in Los Angeles and 1992 with the Dream Team in Barcelona), resides in Florida with his second wife Yvette Prieto and their twin daughters.
