Despite a federal judge’s injunction on deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, the Trump administration LEGALLY deported 17 violent gang members linked to MS-13 and Tren de Aragua to El Salvador.
How is this possible? They looked for the loophole, of course.
Trending Politics News reports:
U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg had recently extended a TRO blocking the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act — a 1798 wartime-era law — to deport suspected gang members, citing a lack of procedural safeguards. The ACLU, which represents the plaintiffs in the case, has claimed the law allows deportation without adequate judicial review.
To bypass the judge’s restrictions, the administration leveraged Title 8 immigration authority, a standard legal mechanism for removing foreign nationals. The deportations were executed in partnership with El Salvador’s government and President Nayib Bukele, a strong ally of President Trump in the fight against international gang crime.
In other words, the deportations did not need the Alien Enemies Act at all, in order to be carried out.
JUST IN: The Trump administration defies rogue Judge James Boasberg and deports MORE Trens de Aragua and MS-13 gang members to El Salvador's prison.
"Last night, in a successful counter-terrorism operation with our allies in El Salvador, the United States military transferred a… pic.twitter.com/J7gRiXpq7b
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) March 31, 2025
On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended the maneuver on X, “In order to keep the American people safe, @POTUS designated the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.”
“These criminals will no longer terrorize our communities and citizens.” He added, also patting El Salvador’s government on the back for their “unparalleled partnership in making our countries safe.”
Among those removed was Keivis Jesus Arrecheder Vasquez, a Venezuelan national and alleged Tren de Aragua ringleader who reportedly has pending charges related to drug trafficking. According to Fox News, six other known members of Tren de Aragua were also included in the deportation group.
The rest were tied to MS-13, a violent transnational gang notorious for murder, rape, and extortion. All 17 individuals were either Venezuelan or Salvadoran nationals, with the majority already convicted of serious crimes.
💯Then thanking El Salvador for "giving them such a wonderful place to live"
"These removals were done via Title 8, not the Alien Enemies Act, and all the individuals had deportation orders or final orders of removal, according to the senior White House officials, meaning the… pic.twitter.com/BcZ7hGix10— 🍊🇺🇸💯ULTRA MAGA DLP🍊🇺🇸💯 (@FLMrs4MAGA) March 31, 2025
President Nayib Bukele stated, “Last night, in a joint military operation with our allies from the United States, we transferred 17 extremely dangerous criminals linked to Tren de Aragua and MS-13.”
He added, “All individuals are confirmed murderers and high-profile offenders, including six child rapists. This operation is another step in the fight against terrorism and organized crime.”