Trump administration touts deportations under Alien Enemies Act after a judge temporarily blocked its use
The Trump administration announced deportations of hundreds of immigrants it alleges are members of a Venezuelan gang to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act.
WASHINGTON — Trump administration officials Sunday announced the deportations of hundreds of immigrants the White House alleges are members of a Venezuelan gang to El Salvador under the wartime Alien Enemies Act after a judge temporarily blocked the effort Saturday.
“The president invoked this authority to deport nearly 300 of them who are now in El Salvador, where they will be behind bars where they belong, rather than roaming freely in American communities,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
Vice President JD Vance added in a post on X Sunday night that President Donald Trump deported "violent criminals and rapists."
It is not clear how the government determined the nearly 300 men were part of the gang or whether they had U.S. court hearings or immigration hearings, as the Alien Enemies Act allows the government to deport certain nationals in times of war without trial.
A judge Saturday ordered any deportation flights that were carrying anyone subject to the presidential proclamation to return to the United States if they were currently in flight. The ruling, however, did not apply to migrants who had already landed in foreign countries before the court order or those subject to removal from the country for reasons separate from Trump's proclamation.
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