A federal judge has stopped the Trump administration from using an old law to quickly deport Venezuelan gang members from the United States.
On Saturday, U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg ruled against the government’s efforts, saying that deporting these individuals without a proper hearing was unfair. He issued the ruling after learning that the administration had already started flying some migrants to El Salvador and Honduras. These migrants were labeled as gang members under President Donald Trump’s new order.
Trump’s Use of the Alien Enemies Act
Earlier that day, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a law originally meant for wartime situations. The law gives the president special powers to remove individuals deemed a threat. The last time it was used was during World War II, when the U.S. detained Germans, Italians, and Japanese-Americans.
Trump justified his action by claiming that a Venezuelan gang called Tren de Aragua (TdA) was threatening the U.S. He stated that Venezuelan authorities had lost control, allowing gangs to take over parts of the country. In his official statement, he called TdA’s actions an “invasion” of the United States.
Judge’s Ruling and Government Response
Judge Boasberg said he had to act fast to prevent immediate harm, ordering that any deportation flights in progress be turned around. He noted that the government would not suffer from a short delay, as the individuals in question remained in custody.
Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the judge’s ruling, arguing that it ignored the president’s authority and put the public at risk.
Who is Tren de Aragua?
Tren de Aragua is a criminal gang that started in a Venezuelan prison. As millions of Venezuelans fled their country’s economic collapse, some gang members traveled with them. Authorities in multiple countries, including the U.S., Colombia, and Chile, have reported arrests of TdA members.
Last month, Trump officially labeled the gang a “foreign terrorist organization.” The Venezuelan government, however, claims to have dismantled TdA and denies that it remains a major threat.
Legal Challenges and Future Hearings
Trump’s order would allow the government to deport suspected gang members without standard legal procedures. Immigration lawyers quickly responded, filing lawsuits to stop the deportations.
Judge Boasberg initially blocked the deportation of five Venezuelans named in the lawsuit, then later expanded his ruling to protect all individuals affected by Trump’s order. The Justice Department pushed back, saying that stopping a president’s action before it is fully implemented would weaken national security efforts.
However, Boasberg found the ACLU’s arguments convincing. The ACLU argued that the Alien Enemies Act was meant for conflicts between countries, not criminal groups.
For now, the judge has paused the deportations for 14 days and scheduled another hearing for Friday. Meanwhile, Trump’s team is considering further legal steps to justify using the law.
Conclusion
This case highlights an ongoing legal battle over presidential power and immigration policy. Trump’s use of a centuries-old law to deport suspected gang members is controversial, and the courts will now decide whether it was justified. The upcoming hearing will determine whether the government can proceed with its deportation plans.
