In a significant move, the Trump administration deported over 200 individuals believed to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela to El Salvador this past weekend, according to various administration officials. This deportation raises questions about its timing following a federal judge’s emergency order on Saturday that instructed the administration to halt deportations utilizing wartime powers.
Among those deported were two alleged leaders of the notorious MS-13 gang and 21 additional associates. This information was confirmed through social media postings from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele.
President Trump invoked the rarely used Alien Enemies Act of 1798 against Tren de Aragua, granting him authority to deport nationals of a perceived enemy nation during wartime—a move not seen since World War II. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt remarked, “Thanks to the great work of the Department of State, these heinous monsters were extracted and removed to El Salvador where they will no longer be able to pose any threat to the American People.”
Despite the deportations, the situation remains complex. The U.S. courts have not made a clear statement on the jurisdiction over these deported individuals. Following the court’s order, it remains uncertain if any detainees can be returned to the U.S.
The Alien Enemies Act allows for expedited removal, meaning individuals affected by this declaration bypass normal court immigration processes and cannot seek asylum. Legal advocates have voiced concerns that the use of this act may lead to broader targeting and deportation of others, regardless of individual status or criminal history.
El Salvador’s Stance on Deportees
President Bukele shared a video on social media showing the arrival of 238 Tren de Aragua members in El Salvador, stating that they would be held at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) for a year. Secretary Rubio previously indicated that El Salvador’s leadership had agreed to accept deportees of any nationality, highlighting the arrangement as mutually beneficial.
Recent comments reveal that El Salvador is reportedly charging a “very low fee” for these deportations, with Rubio praising the agreement as a measure to save taxpayer dollars while ensuring safety. The last time the Alien Enemies Act was invoked involved the internment of 31,000 individuals during World War II, a precedent that raises important human rights considerations in the current context.
In a related legal battle, the American Civil Liberties Union and Democracy Forward sought a temporary block against the deportations of five Venezuelan men, extending their request to encompass all individuals facing deportation under Trump’s proclamation. Judge James Boasberg approved a temporary halt to these deportations, with another hearing scheduled for March 21, as the Trump administration has already appealed these rulings.
