President Trump expressed strong discontent with the judicial system after a federal judge ruled against his administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act from 1798 to deport Venezuelan gang members. In a post on Truth Social, Trump questioned why judges would prevent the U.S. from deporting criminals, including murderers, suggesting that this could lead to a more dangerous America.
The ruling came from U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., who stated that the ancient law could only be applied when there is a direct threat from an organized armed force. He found that the multinational gangs from South America, such as the Tren de Aragua, did not meet this standard. Rodriguez emphasized that the government’s arguments did not demonstrate that these gangs posed a significant threat to the U.S.
The judge’s decision highlighted that the government’s proclamation did not indicate an invasion or organized attack from Venezuela. As a result, he ruled that the law could not be used in this context. This law, part of the Alien and Sedition Acts signed by President John Adams, has rarely been used in recent times.
Trump’s administration had previously deported over 100 individuals to a high-security prison in El Salvador, claiming their tattoos and other evidence linked them to gang activity. The administration has been pushing for a strict immigration policy, including efforts to end protections for more than 600,000 Venezuelans currently under Temporary Protected Status.
The case was initiated by Venezuelan nationals who argued that they were unfairly targeted for deportation. Their lawyers claimed that tattoos alone were not enough to prove gang affiliation and that many individuals were not given a fair chance to contest the accusations.
In response to the ruling, White House officials stated that the Justice Department plans to appeal. They are also looking into other legal avenues to continue deporting individuals identified as gang members. The administration insists that tough immigration enforcement is a key part of its strategy for public safety.