A federal judge in Pennsylvania has determined that the United States can utilize the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to expedite the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members from the state’s western district. The ruling, made by U.S. District Judge Stephanie Haines, stipulates that individuals facing deportation must receive at least 21 days’ notice and the opportunity to contest their removals. Judge Haines confirmed that President Donald Trump holds the authority to designate the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization, allowing for the deportation of its members under the Act.
In her ruling regarding a Venezuelan national referred to as A.S.R., the judge did not establish whether he was a member of the gang but emphasized the necessity for individuals in similar situations to be afforded due process to challenge their deportations. Haines, who was appointed by Trump during his initial term, is reportedly the first judge to endorse the administration’s interpretation of the Alien Enemies Act. This interpretation has faced pushback in rulings from judges in New York, Colorado, and Texas, who have ruled against Trump’s attempts to use the law for deporting Venezuelans.
The ruling also mandates that the government provide notices in both Spanish and English, along with interpreters as needed. The Trump administration has been deporting suspected gang members to a prison in El Salvador, backed by a $6 million agreement between the two nations, as part of Trump’s stringent immigration policies. The White House has yet to respond to requests for comments concerning this ruling.
Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-judge-says-trump-can-use-alien-enemies-act-for-deportations-8407933#publisher=newsstand
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Publish Date: 2025-05-14 04:28:00
