Sun Mar 16 14:09:46 UTC 2025: ## Hundreds of Venezuelan Gang Members Deported to El Salvador Under Wartime Powers

**San Salvador, El Salvador –** Over 200 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, have been deported to El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele announced Sunday. The mass deportation follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a wartime authority allowing the detention and deportation of enemy nationals. This marks only the fourth time this act has been used.

The first 238 gang members arrived in El Salvador Sunday morning and were transferred to the CECOT maximum-security prison. The move comes after President Bukele offered to house U.S. prisoners in El Salvador during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month. Mr. Rubio praised the transfer, stating that hundreds of violent criminals were removed from the United States and thanked President Bukele for his cooperation. Additionally, two top MS-13 leaders and 21 of their most wanted members were also sent to El Salvador to face justice.

President Trump’s order cites Tren de Aragua’s alleged irregular warfare against the U.S., claiming they operate directly or indirectly under the direction of the Maduro regime. The order gives Attorney General Pam Bondi 60 days to implement the ruling, making all Venezuelan Tren de Aragua members over 14 who are not naturalized U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents subject to immediate apprehension, detention, and removal.

However, the legality of the deportations is already under legal challenge. The ACLU and Democracy Forward have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the deportations, arguing that the 1798 act is not applicable during peacetime. A federal judge has temporarily halted the deportations for 14 days. Attorney General Bondi criticized the ruling, claiming it disregards established presidential authority and jeopardizes public safety. The situation remains highly contentious, pitting national security concerns against civil rights protections.

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