A federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to invoke a centuries-old wartime law to combat the expansion of the Tren de Aragua criminal network, a notorious Venezuelan gang operating in the United States. The ruling halts efforts to use the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which grants the president broad powers to detain or remove foreign nationals from hostile nations during conflicts.
Officials had argued that the law was necessary to address the growing threat posed by the gang, which has been linked to organized crime, drug trafficking, and human smuggling across multiple states. The administration had sought to use the legal provision to detain and deport suspected members without prolonged judicial proceedings.
The judge determined that the law’s application in this case exceeded its intended scope, citing concerns over due process and the lack of a formal war declaration against Venezuela. The decision marks a setback for the administration’s broader immigration enforcement efforts, particularly in targeting transnational criminal organizations.
Despite the ruling, authorities have vowed to continue cracking down on the gang through alternative legal means, including enhanced intelligence-sharing and expanded cooperation with law enforcement agencies at local and federal levels.