The U.S. government has deported hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador, despite a federal judge’s order to halt such actions. These deportations occurred after President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite the removal of individuals alleged to be members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
On Saturday evening, U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg issued an order temporarily stopping these deportations, questioning the legal basis of using the Alien Enemies Act for this purpose. However, flights carrying the deportees proceeded, with some already airborne at the time of the ruling.
El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, confirmed that his country received the deported individuals, who are now held in the “terrorism confinement centre,” a facility known for its harsh conditions. Human rights activists have criticized such mass incarcerations, noting that many occur without due legal process.
The U.S. administration has not provided evidence confirming the alleged gang affiliations of those deported, leading to further criticism from organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Legal experts argue that the use of the Alien Enemies Act in this context may constitute an overreach of presidential authority and a violation of constitutional rights.
A hearing is scheduled within the next 14 days to address these potential constitutional violations and to reassess the administration’s actions in light of the court’s order.
