The Trump administration has proceeded with the deportation of hundreds of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to El Salvador, even after a federal judge issued a ruling temporarily blocking such actions under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg ordered on Saturday that any flights carrying deportees be turned around if still in the air, but sources indicate that the flights had already taken off.

Hours after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, claiming that members of Tren de Aragua were conducting "irregular warfare" against the U.S., two flights were confirmed to be en route to El Salvador and Honduras. Despite the ruling, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the deportations had been executed under the directive of the president, describing them as crucial for national security.

Boasberg’s ruling emphasized that the deportations should be halted for at least 14 days while the legality of Trump's order was reviewed, stating that the failure to comply would cause irreparable harm. However, the administration's legal team contended the flights were over international waters, arguing that Boasberg’s order did not apply.

In response to the developments, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele mocked the situation through a social media post, saying, "Oopsie... Too late," highlighting the tension between U.S. judicial authority and executive power. Despite civil rights groups, such as the ACLU, filing lawsuits against the deportation actions, the administration remains firm in its stance, seeking stays of the court’s ruling.

The deportation plan involves a $6 million agreement for El Salvador to house the alleged gang members in its notorious prisons, raising further questions about the treatment and rights of those being sent back.

As the legal battles unfold, the broader implications of invoking the Alien Enemies Act in this context are drawing scrutiny, particularly regarding the potential bypassing of due process and immigration laws for individuals identified as threats by the administration.

For further information, refer to the original articles from HuffPost, LA Times, and ABC News.