Pam Bondi slams federal judge, ACLU for blocking deportation of Venezuelan gang members

Bondi issued a statement condemning US District Judge James Boasberg, saying he had “supported Tren de Aragua terrorists over the safety of Americans.”

“TdA is represented by the ACLU. This order disregards well-established authority regarding President Trump’s power, and it puts the public and law enforcement at risk," Bondi stated, reported CBS. "The Department of Justice is undeterred in its efforts to work with the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and all of our partners to stop this invasion and Make America Safe Again.”

Judge Boasberg’s order prevents the Trump administration from deporting these Venezuelan migrants until he reviews the legality of invoking the Alien Enemies Act. Any planes carrying suspected TdA members out of the US must also be returned.

Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act on Saturday, keeping a campaign promise and aligning with the GOP platform by initiating removals of Venezuelan illegal immigrants linked to Tren de Aragua, which was recently designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

“I proclaim that all Venezuelan citizens 14 years of age or older who are members of TdA [Tren de Aragua], are within the United States, and are not actually naturalized or lawful permanent residents of the United States are liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies,” Trump stated in his proclamation. This directive gives Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem the authority to carry out the deportations.

Boasberg’s ruling came after a lawsuit was filed on behalf of five Venezuelan immigrants challenging the administration’s actions.