Trump Invokes 1798 Law for Controversial Deportations of Venezuelan Gang Members

The U.S. deported hundreds of alleged gang members to El Salvador, bypassing a federal court order, sparking legal and human rights challenges.

President Trump cited the rarely used Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite the deportation of over 200 alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the deportations, but the planes had already departed, raising questions about executive overreach and judicial authority.
El Salvador agreed to detain the deportees in a high-security facility for one year, with the U.S. reportedly paying $6 million for their incarceration.
The move has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who argue the 1798 law was not intended for use in peacetime and could lead to legal challenges.
This development comes as Democrats face historically low approval ratings and internal divisions, while President Trump maintains a 47% approval rating.