Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador and Honduras before court ruling could stop them

The Trump administration deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador and Honduras despite a temporary restraining order issued by US District Judge James E. Boasberg. The order was issued under an 18th-century wartime law, barring deportations of individuals accused of gang affiliations.

Boasberg issued the ruling on Saturday, but flights were already in the air at the time. Lawyers told the judge that two planes carrying migrants had already departed, yet the administration did not turn them around as verbally instructed.

Salvadoran President responds

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, a Trump ally, reacted to the ruling on social media.

“Oopsie…Too late,” Bukele posted on X, referring to the deportations, which reportedly included 300 migrants housed in El Salvadoran prisons at a cost of $6 million. His post was reshared by White House communications director Steven Cheung.

US justifies deportations under wartime law

The Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a rarely used law that grants the president broad authority to detain or deport foreign nationals during wartime.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the action, stating: “We sent over 250 alien enemy members of Tren de Aragua which El Salvador has agreed to hold in their very good jails at a fair price that will also save our taxpayer dollars.”

Venezuela condemns the move

The Venezuelan government condemned the deportations and the use of the wartime act. A statement released on Sunday described the law’s invocation as reminiscent of “the darkest episodes in human history, from slavery to the horror of the Nazi concentration camps.”

ACLU challenges the deportations

The ACLU, which filed the lawsuit that led to the restraining order, is investigating whether the deportations violated the court order.

“This morning, we asked the government to assure the Court that its order was not violated and are waiting to hear, as well as trying to do our own investigation,” said ACLU lead lawyer Lee Gelernt.

Video footage shows harsh treatment

Video footage released by El Salvador’s government showed deported migrants shackled and struggling to walk as officers in riot gear pushed them toward waiting buses and prison facilities.

They were taken to CECOT, El Salvador’s high-security prison, where they were shown kneeling, having their heads shaved, and changing into the prison’s white uniform.

Legal concerns over Trump’s Executive Order

Trump signed the proclamation declaring Tren de Aragua an invading force on Friday night, though it was not publicly announced until Saturday afternoon. Immigration lawyers reported that Venezuelans who were previously protected from deportation were being moved to Texas ahead of the flights, triggering legal challenges.

Human rights expert Adam Isacson warned on social media: “Basically any Venezuelan citizen in the US may be removed on pretext of belonging to Tren de Aragua, with no chance at defense.”

Court blocks further deportations

The ACLU lawsuit was initially filed on behalf of five Venezuelans held in Texas who feared being falsely accused of gang affiliation. Judge Boasberg broadened the restraining order to all individuals in federal custody after a Saturday afternoon hearing.

He noted that the Alien Enemies Act had never been used outside of a congressionally declared war, and plaintiffs may argue that Trump exceeded his legal authority.

Court hearing scheduled

The restraining order will remain in place for up to 14 days, during which time the migrants must remain in federal custody. Judge Boasberg scheduled a Friday hearing to review further legal arguments.

Boasberg stressed the urgency of his decision: “Once they’re out of the country, there’s little I could do.”

(With AP inputs)