by Admin 17/3/2025 The President Trump administration announced on Sunday morning that it had deported nearly 300 individuals accused of being members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to El Salvador, invoking the rarely used Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The deportations occurred despite a federal judge’s temporary order blocking the effort on Saturday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the action during an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, stating that President Donald Trump exercised his authority to ensure the individuals were “behind bars where they belong, rather than roaming freely in American communities.” Vice President JD Vance reinforced the administration’s position in a post on X, claiming that President Trump had deported “violent criminals and rapists.” However, the process by which the government determined the individuals’ gang affiliations remains unclear. It is also unknown whether any of the deportees had immigration or court hearings before their removal. The Alien Enemies Act grants the president broad powers to expel foreign nationals from hostile nations during wartime, without requiring due process. President Trump has argued that the United States is facing an “invasion” through the southern border, justifying the use of this authority. On Saturday, a federal judge ordered the suspension of all deportation flights carrying individuals covered under President Trump’s proclamation. The ruling required flights already en route to return to the United States but did not apply to migrants who had already landed in foreign countries before the order took effect. The administration maintained that the deportations did not violate the court’s directive. In a legal filing Sunday, President Trump’s government argued that “some gang members subject to removal under the Proclamation had already been removed from U.S. territory” before the judge issued the order. However, it remains unclear whether any deportees had reached El Salvador before the court’s decision or whether the administration continued removals in defiance of the ruling. Leavitt dismissed allegations of noncompliance, stating that the White House acted lawfully. “The written order and the Administration’s actions do not conflict,” she said, adding that federal courts generally lack jurisdiction over presidential decisions regarding foreign affairs and national security, including removals under the Alien Enemies Act. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, arguing that the government faulted a court order.
Trump Administration Defends Deportation of Alleged Venezuelan Gang Members Despite Court Order
