The Trump administration proceeded with deporting alleged members of a Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, despite a federal court order halting the action.
Judge James Boasberg had temporarily blocked President Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act—a wartime statute—to expedite the expulsion of over 200 individuals linked to the gang, citing the law’s requirement for actions “commensurate to war.” The White House dismissed the ruling, asserting that courts lack jurisdiction over presidential authority in foreign affairs.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt argued that a single judge cannot dictate the movement of “foreign alien terrorists” expelled from U.S. soil, calling the court’s intervention legally baseless. Legal experts, including the Cato Institute’s Patrick Eddington, condemned the move as an “unprecedented” challenge to judicial checks and balances, likening it to a constitutional crisis.
Gtvafrik gathered that President Trump defended the deportations, labeling the individuals “bad people” and framing surging immigration as akin to warfare, stating, “This is war. In many respects, it’s more dangerous than war.” Judge Boasberg countered that the Alien Enemies Act applies only during hostilities equivalent to declared war, ordering deported individuals returned if removed after his ruling.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele later shared footage on social media showing men disembarking a deportation flight at night, mocking the court order with a sarcastic caption. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reposted the video, praising Bukele’s cooperation. Flight data revealed a Global Crossing Airlines plane, previously used for deportations, traveled from Texas to San Salvador hours after the judge’s order.
The administration claimed in court filings that “some” deportations occurred before the ruling but provided no specifics. Immigration experts, like Cardozo Law School’s Peter Markowitz, argued the actions violated the injunction, urging efforts to retrieve those deported post-order.
Bukele confirmed the 238 men were detained in El Salvador’s 40,000-capacity mega-prison for at least one year. The administration’s defiance underscores a contentious clash over executive power, immigration enforcement, and judicial oversight, with critics warning of erosion to constitutional safeguards.
