Trump Administration Deports Hundreds Under Alien Enemies Act Despite Court Order
The Trump administration has confirmed the deportation of hundreds of individuals after President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used wartime authority. This move, aimed at accelerating the deportation of alleged criminals associated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, comes despite a federal judge’s order temporarily blocking its use.
Federal Court Blocks Deportations, But Flights Continue
On Saturday evening, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the administration from using the Alien Enemies Act. The judge also ordered planes carrying some of the deported migrants to return to the U.S. The restraining order will remain in effect for 14 days or until further notice.
However, the administration proceeded with the deportations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that nearly 300 members of Tren de Aragua were arrested over the weekend. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Sunday that hundreds of violent criminals had already been deported before the court’s ruling took effect.
El Salvador’s Role in Housing Deported Criminals
Rubio also thanked El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, for agreeing to imprison the deported individuals. He noted that Bukele had requested the return of two MS-13 gang leaders and 21 Salvadoran nationals held in the U.S. to face justice in their homeland.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rubio announced that the U.S. had deported:
- Two top MS-13 leaders
- 21 high-priority criminals
- Over 250 members of Tren de Aragua to El Salvador.
Bukele later confirmed the arrival of the deportees and their transfer to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, where they will be detained for one year. Sharing a video of the handcuffed prisoners, Bukele mocked the U.S. court’s decision, posting “oopsie…too late.” Rubio reshared the post.
Legal & Political Fallout
Despite the court’s ruling, the timeline of deportation flights remains unclear. CNN has reached out to the State Department and White House for further details on when the planes departed.
Republican Senator Mike Rounds defended the administration, stating on CNN’s State of the Union that he expects the executive branch to “follow the law.” However, when pressed on whether the administration may have violated the court order, he responded, “We don’t know if that happened that way.”
Rounds expressed support for using every legal tool to deport alleged criminals, adding, “Most Americans will say, ‘I don’t care how old the law is. If you can use it to get these guys out and keep my family safe, we’re going to do it.’”
Democratic Response & Concerns
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation strategy, warning of its potential consequences.
“All of us within the Democratic Party oppose illegal immigration. We believe that if you’re a violent felon, you should be deported. But we also can’t go down this road that the Trump administration is taking us on—potentially deporting American citizens, lawful permanent residents, and breaking up law-abiding immigrant families who contribute to this country,” Jeffries stated.
Jeffries emphasized the need for comprehensive immigration reform instead of what he described as Trump’s extreme measures.
Erik Prince’s Alleged Role in Deportation Agreements
CNN previously reported that Erik Prince, a Trump ally and founder of the private military company Blackwater, had been in contact with Bukele since last year regarding accepting undocumented migrants from the U.S. in the event of a Trump presidency.
What’s Next?
As legal battles continue, the Trump administration remains defiant, pressing forward with its deportation policies. Meanwhile, the court ruling temporarily halting the use of the Alien Enemies Act is set to expire in 14 days, leaving the next steps uncertain.
The controversy underscores the broader debate on immigration enforcement, executive power, and the role of international cooperation in managing migration and crime. With political and legal challenges mounting, this issue is far from over.
Source: CNN – Trump administration deports hundreds under Alien Enemies Act despite judge’s pause
