Trump administration DEFIES federal judge, proceeds with deporting gang members
By ramontomeydw // 2025-03-19
Copy
 
  • The Trump administration deported over 250 Venezuelan Tren de Aragua (TdA) and 23 MS-13 members to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act, despite a federal judge’s emergency order to halt the expulsions.
  • U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued an emergency ruling to stop the deportations, but the administration proceeded, defying the court order.
  • Critics, including the ACLU, argue the administration violated due process, with claims some deportees were fleeing the gangs they were accused of joining. They warned of dire consequences, including imprisonment in El Salvador.
  • The White House cited public safety and presidential authority under the AEA, which allows deporting noncitizens deemed threats during war or invasion. TdA was designated a foreign terrorist organization.
  • The DOJ appealed the restraining order, arguing it undermines presidential authority, sparking debate over executive power and judicial oversight.
The second Trump administration has proceeded with the deportation of criminal gang members from the U.S. under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act (AEA), defying a federal judge's order to halt these expulsions. Over the weekend, the White House ordered the deportation of criminals part of the Salvadoran MS-13 and Venezuelan Tren de Aragua (TdA) gangs. But in an eleventh-hour attempt, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an emergency ruling to block the deportation of the TdA members. The order by Boasberg, appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama, commanded the White House to halt deportation flights and reverse aircraft already en route. "Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the U.S.," the magistrate said. "This is something that you need to make sure is complied with immediately." But Boasberg's order issued Saturday, March 15, fell on deaf ears as the Trump administration went ahead with the deportations. As confirmed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, over 250 TdA members were sent on a deportation flight to El Salvador. Alongside this, a total of 23 MS-13 members were also flown to El Salvador to face justice in the country. (Related: MS-13 and Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gangs could form ALLIANCE, warns FBI agent.) White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasize the administration's commitment to enforcing the AEA as necessary to protect public safety. The law allows the president to deport noncitizens deemed a threat during times of war or invasion. "These are the most violent, heinous criminal monsters you could ever imagine," she said in an interview. "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."

TdA deportations: A hardline move or legal overreach?

The Trump administration has sparked a legal and political firestorm, with critics accusing the administration of overstepping judicial authority and prioritizing executive power over due process. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argues that the deportations were based on flimsy evidence.  Some individuals were fleeing the very gang they were accused of belonging to, it adds. "The Trump administration's intent to use a wartime authority for immigration enforcement is as unprecedented as it is lawless," said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project. Incidentally, the organization represents several plaintiffs accused of being TdA members. Gelernt also warned that the deportees faced dire consequences, including imprisonment in El Salvador – a sentiment Boasberg agreed with. True enough, the deportation flight carrying the MS-13 and TdA members landed in El Salvador on Sunday, March 16. The gang members were then hauled to the maximum-security Terrorism Confinement Center, as confirmed by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. The administration's legal justification hinges on U.S. President Donald Trump's earlier executive order designating Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, coupled with the Alien Enemies Act, which has not been invoked since World War II. Despite concerns, the Trump administration has shown no signs of relenting. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the magistrate's ruling, accusing him of prioritizing "TdA terrorists over the safety of Americans." The Department of Justice has appealed the temporary restraining order, arguing that it undermines the president’s authority to remove dangerous individuals from the country. As the legal battle unfolds, the deportation of TdA members underscores the Trump administration's hardline approach to immigration and border security. Watch this Fox Business report about the Trump administration's deportation flights to Ecuador. This video is from the InfoWarSSideBand channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Internal Homeland Security memo warns Tren de Aragua is now active in 16 states and Washington, D.C. Texas judge threw out prosecutions of Tren de Aragua gang members who crossed border illegally. Violent "Tren de Aragua" prison gang from Venezuela terrorizes, takes over El Paso hotel. Sources include: YourNews.com ABCNews.go.com Breitbart.com Brighteon.com
Copy