The Trump administration announced the deportation of hundreds of alleged criminals linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Officials stated that these individuals were removed from the United States despite a last-minute judicial ruling blocking the deportation.
The administration attempted to use the rarely invoked Alien Enemies Act to justify the move, arguing that these individuals posed a significant threat. However, a U.S. district judge intervened, ruling that the deportations should be halted immediately.
Judge Blocks Deportations, Sparking Political Clash and Impeachment Threat Against Judiciary
On Saturday night, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order, preventing the Trump administration from proceeding with the deportations. The judge’s order mandated that any deportation flights already in transit should return to the United States. The order is set to remain in effect for 14 days or until further judicial review. This legal intervention effectively put a hold on Trump’s controversial decision to use emergency powers to expel individuals accused of gang-related crimes.
Judge Blocks Trump’s Deportation of Venezuelan Gang Members, Escalating Legal BattleThe court ruling quickly sparked political controversy, with Republican Representative Brandon Gill of Texas announcing his intent to introduce articles of impeachment against Judge Boasberg. The move gained support from Elon Musk, who recently assumed an unofficial role overseeing government efficiency. Musk publicly backed Gill’s call for impeachment, further fueling tensions between the administration and the judiciary. The legal battle over the deportations is expected to intensify as both sides prepare for further court proceedings.
El Salvador Detains Deportees Amid U.S. Crackdown on Organized Crime and Immigration
The deported migrants were sent to El Salvador, where they were immediately imprisoned. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele confirmed that the first group of 238 Tren de Aragua members arrived in the country and were placed in CECOT, a high-security prison for terrorism-related detainees.
The U.S. agreed to pay $6 million for their imprisonment, a deal that Bukele described as unfavorable for his country. Along with the Tren de Aragua members, the U.S. also deported high-ranking MS-13 leaders to El Salvador, further strengthening its crackdown on organized crime.
The Trump administration justified the deportations under the 1789 Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used law designed to bypass standard immigration procedures and allow for the rapid removal of individuals deemed dangerous. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the action, stating that it was necessary to protect national security and reduce taxpayer burdens.
Despite the administration’s firm stance, legal and political opposition continues, with critics arguing that the act was misused and that the deportations violated due process rights. The controversy surrounding this decision is likely to remain a focal point of political debate in the coming weeks.