Trump's Use of 1798 Law for Mass Deportations Faces Legal and Ethical Scrutiny
Over 200 alleged Venezuelan gang members were deported to El Salvador despite a federal judge's attempt to halt the operation.
- President Donald Trump invoked the rarely used Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite the deportation of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
- A federal judge issued a 14-day suspension of deportations, but flights carrying the detainees had already departed for El Salvador before the ruling was announced.
- The White House defended its actions, claiming the judge's decision lacked jurisdiction and emphasizing the safety threat posed by the gang members.
- El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele confirmed the arrival of 238 deportees, who were transferred to a high-security prison under strict conditions.
- Human rights organizations and Venezuela's government criticized the deportations, questioning the legality of applying the Alien Enemies Act in peacetime.