Federal Judge Rules on Deportation of Gang Members

A federal judge in Pennsylvania has concluded that the United States can invoke the Alien Enemy Act of 1798 to expedite the deportation process for accused gang members in that region. However, the judge stipulated that they must receive at least 21 days of notice, along with a chance to contest their removal.

US District Judge Stephanie Haynes stated that President Donald Trump’s designation of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as a terrorist group grants the authority to deport its members under this law. This ruling stems from the case involving a Venezuelan individual known as ASR.

Judge Haynes mentioned that ASR does not have control over their affiliation with the gang, and individuals in similar situations must be afforded the opportunity to challenge their deportation.

Appointed by Trump during his first term, Haynes appears to be the first judge to endorse the administration’s interpretation of alien enemy laws, which were highlighted in March as a rationale for deporting numerous individuals accused of being part of Tren de Lagua.

Contrarily, judges in New York, Colorado, and Texas have expressed opposition to Trump’s application of this law regarding Venezuelan deportations.

Furthermore, Haynes directed that the government must issue notifications in both Spanish and English, as well as provide interpreters when necessary.

The Trump administration previously deported gang members to prisons in El Salvador as part of an agreement where the US would finance $6 million to a Central American country, aligning with Trump’s tough stance on immigration.

The White House did not respond immediately to requests for comment.