Judge temporarily blocks Trump's use of wartime powers to target gang members

16/3/2025 11:45

A federal judge on Saturday temporarily blocked any deportations that would occur under U.S. President Donald Trump's use of a little-used wartime law to expedite the expulsion of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.



Hours earlier, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 against the group, saying the United States was facing an "invasion" from a criminal organization that has been linked to kidnapping, extortion, organized crime and contract killings.



Judge James Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order for 14 days. Boasberg said the act "does not provide a basis for the president's proclamation given that the terms invasion, predatory incursion really relate to hostile acts perpetrated by any nation and commensurate to war."



In invoking the act, Trump said members of the gang were "conducting irregular warfare and undertaking hostile actions against the United States" with the goal of destabilizing the nation.



The act, which has only been used in times of war, could allow the president to bypass the due process rights of migrants categorized as threats and rapidly deport them.



While the proclamation was released by the White House on Saturday, the wording suggests Trump signed it on Friday.