Trump's Use of Alien Enemies Act Blocked by Federal Judge
President Donald Trump’s attempt to use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport members of the Tren de Aragua gang was halted by a federal judge on Saturday.
In a controversial move, President Donald Trump invoked the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to target members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA), a gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State. The proclamation aimed to apprehend, restrain, and deport Venezuelan citizens over 14 years old associated with TdA who are not naturalized or lawful permanent residents of the U.S. However, a federal judge intervened, issuing a temporary restraining order preventing the deportation of five Venezuelans believed to be on a plane that was ordered to return to the U.S.
The legal challenge was mounted by the American Civil Liberties Union, Democracy Forward, and the ACLU of the District of Columbia, asserting that the proclamation could potentially affect any Venezuelan in the country, not just TdA members. Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg of the D.C. Circuit granted the order, which led to the return of two planes possibly en route to deport illegal immigrants.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the ruling, stating it favored TdA terrorists over American safety and disregarded the president’s authority. The Trump administration has appealed the restraining order, arguing that it improperly delays a presidential act.
Skye Perryman of Democracy Forward condemned the move as an authoritarian overreach, emphasizing that the U.S. is not at war and that the invocation of the wartime law was unnecessary for regular immigration enforcement. An in-person hearing to further discuss the lawsuit is scheduled for Monday in D.C.
The situation in Aurora, Colorado, highlights the impact of TdA’s activities, where the gang has reportedly taken over apartment buildings, charging rent for protection. Local law enforcement has linked TdA to numerous criminal activities, leading to arrests and the establishment of a special task force to combat the gang’s presence.
Trump’s proclamation aligns with his campaign promise to combat TdA members in the U.S. The White House asserts that TdA has infiltrated the country to conduct hostile actions against U.S. citizens, collaborating with the Cártel de los Soles in Venezuela, a narco-terrorism group supported by the Nicolás Maduro regime.
As this legal battle unfolds, the debate over immigration enforcement and national security continues to intensify, with significant implications for U.S. policy and public safety.