A Federal judge has ordered deportation flights carrying alleged Venezuelan gangbangers to return to US, blocking President Trump from invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act
A federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump on Saturday from invoking the 18th century Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members without a hearing – ordering any flights carrying the supposed criminals to turn around.
US District judge James Boasberg quickly ordered the Trump administration to halt all removals after the commander in chief signed off on a presidential action invoking the 1798 law – aimed at targeting Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua, The Washington Post reported.
The chief judge in the District of Columbia said he heard that “flights are actively departing” and ordered US officials to have planes in the air carrying migrants returned to the United States, the outlet reported.
“Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States however that is accomplished,” Boasberg reportedly wrote. “Make sure it’s complied with immediately.”
The temporary ruling will put a 14-day restraining order on use of the act.
Trump’s proclamation’s language contends Venezuelan nationals are now “liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies.”
Trump signed a presidential order in January, designating Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization, clearing a path for immigration officials to start rounding up its members for removal.
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