Rubio Announces Deportations Despite Federal Judge’s Order to Halt Removals

Uncategorized , / Monday, March 17th, 2025

RKI Network

Washington, D.C., March 17, 2025 – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the deportation of hundreds of alleged members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, despite a federal judge’s order temporarily blocking the removals.

In a statement on Sunday, Rubio emphasized that the deportations were carried out under President Trump’s directive to remove violent foreign criminals threatening U.S. national security. “Under the President’s direction, his administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act to initiate the removal of hundreds of dangerous members of Tren de Aragua, a vicious and violent Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), which has been threatening our nation, conducting irregular warfare, and terrorizing Americans,” he said.

His announcement came just a day after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued a 14-day restraining order halting deportations under Trump’s directive. The lawsuit, filed by Democracy Forward and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), challenges the legality of the administration’s reliance on the centuries-old Alien Enemies Act for mass deportations.

During a virtual hearing on Saturday, Boasberg noted that two deportation flights had already departed—one to El Salvador and another to Honduras—before his order took effect. He verbally instructed Justice Department officials to return the planes, but the directive was not included in his written order, and the flights were not stopped, according to the Associated Press.

Rubio defended the deportations, revealing that they were conducted under an agreement he personally negotiated with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. As part of the deal, El Salvador agreed to imprison the deported gang members in exchange for the U.S. extraditing two MS-13 leaders and 21 of its most wanted criminals to face prosecution.

“President Bukele has proven himself as the strongest security leader in our region and a great friend of the United States,” Rubio stated, praising El Salvador’s role in the transfer.

Despite the legal battle, the Biden administration remains committed to enforcing stricter immigration policies, arguing that such actions are essential for national security and public safety. The legal dispute over the use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations is expected to continue in the coming weeks.