Attorneys for several deported Venezuelans argue their clients were not members of Tren de Aragua, had committed no crimes, and were targeted largely on the basis of their tattoos
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration may invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to deport suspected members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, provided due process is upheld.
District Judge Stephanie Haines, a Trump appointee, found the deportation of a Venezuelan man, identified only as A.S.R., “complies with” the AEA. However, she emphasized that authorities must give deportees at least 21 days’ notice and ensure due process.
Tren de Aragua, labeled a “foreign terrorist organization” by the Trump administration, is accused of “flooding” the U.S. with illegal drugs and destabilizing public safety.
In March, Trump used the AEA to deport alleged gang members to El Salvador. Critics argue many were wrongly targeted based on tattoos.
Haines ruled deportations can proceed “so long as the government provides sufficient notice and due process.”
The ruling could set a precedent for further removals in Pennsylvania, according to The Washington Post.