Trump Uses 1798 Law to Deport Venezuelan Gang Members Despite Court Order

The U.S. deported over 200 alleged Tren de Aragua members to El Salvador, invoking a rarely used wartime law blocked by a federal judge.

President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, claiming they pose a national security threat.
A federal judge issued a 14-day injunction against the deportations, arguing the law is not applicable in peacetime, but the flights to El Salvador had already departed.
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele confirmed the arrival of 238 deportees, who were sent to a high-security prison under harsh conditions, sparking human rights concerns.
The U.S. government reportedly agreed to pay El Salvador $6 million to house the detainees for one year while deciding on their long-term status.
Critics, including civil rights groups, argue that reviving the Alien Enemies Act for mass deportations undermines legal protections and sets a dangerous precedent.