Donald Trump has invoked a rarely used law from 1798 to speed up mass deportations, claiming that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) is an “invasion force” acting on behalf of Venezuela’s government. The move marks an escalation in his administration’s immigration crackdown which is already facing legal challenges.
Trump’s declaration, made on Saturday, triggers the Alien Enemies Act, which gives the president broad wartime powers to deport foreign nationals deemed a threat. The law was last used during World War II to justify the internment of Japanese-Americans.
The announcement came just as a federal judge temporarily blocked the deportation of five Venezuelans affected by the order, signaling an intense legal battle ahead. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democracy Forward had already filed a lawsuit before the declaration was made public.
Tren de Aragua is a criminal organization that originated in Venezuelan prisons and has expanded across Latin America. While most Venezuelans fleeing their country seek better economic conditions, Trump has frequently pointed to TdA as proof that illegal immigration poses a national security threat. Last month, the administration officially labeled the group a “foreign terrorist organization.”
Authorities in several countries have reported arrests of Tren de Aragua members, though Venezuela’s government claims it has dismantled the gang. Despite this, Trump insists the group is part of a larger strategy by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to destabilize the U.S.
The decision to invoke the Alien Enemies Act has already sparked legal resistance. A federal judge in Washington temporarily halted the deportation of five Venezuelans, arguing that the court needed more time to assess the law’s application.
The Justice Department quickly appealed, warning that blocking presidential actions like this could set a dangerous precedent. Officials argued that if courts could preemptively stop national security measures, it could interfere with future decisions on counterterrorism, intelligence, or military actions.
The White House has announced plans to detain 300 individuals it claims are gang members and move them to facilities in El Salvador. Meanwhile, legal experts and immigration advocates are preparing for a prolonged court fight over the legality and scope of Trump’s action.
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