- Federal judge demands mid-air deportation planes return amid emergency hearing
- Over 230 alleged Tren de Aragua members land in El Salvador's maximum-security prison
- White House claims compliance while continuing removal operations post-deadline
The Trump administration ignited a constitutional firestorm this weekend by deploying the 226-year-old Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations of alleged Tren de Aragua gang members. This obscure 1798 law, last used en masse during WWII, allows wartime deportations without due process - a power critics argue violates modern immigration protections.
New analysis of flight manifests reveals two government-chartered planes departed Texas 41 minutes before Judge Boasberg's final ruling. Despite explicit instructions to recall the aircraft, both flights completed transfers to Honduras and El Salvador. The administration later acknowledged removing 'some' individuals but maintained operations concluded before the 7:26 PM court deadline - a claim contradicted by aviation timestamps showing 7:37 PM and 8:10 PM arrivals.
This confrontation highlights growing tensions between executive authority and judicial oversight. El Salvador's involvement adds complexity, with President Bukele boasting on social media about housing deportees in their Terrorism Confinement Center. The $17.8 million detention deal, negotiated through backchannels, raises questions about international deportation partnerships bypassing congressional approval.
Legal experts note this marks the first modern application of the Alien Enemies Act absent formal war declaration. The ACLU argues the administration's interpretation could create dangerous precedent: 'This isn't 1798 - you can't suspend human rights because a foreign gang exists,' stated lead attorney María Rodríguez. Meanwhile, DHS officials contend the move prevents 'another MS-13 crisis,' citing 2024 crime statistics showing Tren de Aragua members allegedly involved in 78 NYC robberies last quarter.