The Trump administration was using an 18th century wartime law to legally justify the deportations of hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador.
Topline
A federal judge Thursday blocked the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelans using an 18th century law that has been used just three other times in U.S. history, issuing the first permanent injunction against the administration’s use of the law.Key Facts
District Court Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. said in a filing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 cannot be used against people the Trump administration alleges are gang members.
Rodriguez’s ruling, which argues the Trump administration is not using the law properly, is the first permanent injunction barring the deportations of Venezuelans from South Texas.
