In a decision that strongly disagrees with rulings from other federal courts, a Pennsylvania judge has allowed the Trump administration to use the 1798 Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to deport Venezuelan citizens identified as members of the Tren de Aragua gang. This ruling was made by U.S. District Judge Stephanie Haines, whom Trump appointed.
It is also the first time a federal judge has clearly supported the administration’s decision to label Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization and then use the AEA to speed up deportations. Axios reported that the ruling gives the administration the power to deport Venezuelan nationals who meet certain conditions: they must be at least 14 years old, have no legal immigration status in the U.S., and be proven members of the Tren de Aragua gang.
