Trump administration deports Venezuelans, breaches court orders

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 – The Trump Administration has reportedly deported individuals suspected of being part of a Venezuelan gang, although a court has issued an injunction against their removal.

“The judge does not have authority over this action,” said the administration in a statement.

This deportation act came after Judge James Boadberg ruled to prevent President Donald Trump from using the wartime powers of Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport over 200 individuals alleged to be members of Tren De Aragua, a Venezuelan crime organisation associated with kidnapping, extortion and contract murders.

White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt stated that a single judge in a single city cannot direct the movements of an aircraft filled with foreign alien terrorists who were physically expelled from the lands of the United States.

“The court has no lawful basis, and federal courts generally have no jurisdiction over how a president conducts foreign affairs.”

Legal Rulings and Political Reaction

During a Saturday evening hearing, Judge Boasberg temporarily blocked the use of a specific law for 14 days, stating it only applies to “hostile acts” from foreign nations that are “commensurate to war.” Trump defended his actions, claiming the rise in immigration was akin to war, saying, “This is war. It’s even more dangerous than war, because in a war, they wear uniforms. You know who you’re fighting.”

Boasberg ruled that any flights carrying migrants under the law should return to the U.S., with his decision filed at 7:25 p.m. ET (23:25 GMT).

The next day, El Salvador’s President Bukele shared a video showing men being removed from a plane, accompanied by the comment, “Oopsie… Too late.” He posted the headline, “Fed judge orders deportation flights carrying alleged Venezuelan gang members to return to the US,” followed by a laughing emoji. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later reposted it, thanking Bukele for his “assistance and friendship.”

Leavitt stated the administration’s actions aligned with the court’s order, noting that courts generally lack authority over the president’s powers to remove foreign terrorists and repel an invasion.

The Trump administration labeled the Venezuelans as gang members or “alien terrorists,” though Reuters has been unable to confirm their criminal backgrounds. Both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Salvadoran government declined to comment.