In a bold and controversial move, the Trump administration has defied a federal judge’s ruling and sent over 250 migrant gang members to the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador. The move underscores President Trump’s unyielding commitment to securing America’s borders, regardless of judicial interference.

Among the deportees were 238 members of the violent Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, and at least 21 members of the notorious MS-13. The planes carrying these dangerous criminals took off despite a last-minute ruling from U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who temporarily blocked the administration from invoking the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to expedite the removal of gang members without formal hearings. However, the Trump team took a defiant stance, arguing that the planes were already airborne when the order was issued and that the ruling didn’t apply because the aircraft were “outside U.S. airspace.”

As the planes touched down in El Salvador, the gang members were greeted by heavily armed commandos and swiftly transported to the infamous CECOT prison. President Nayib Bukele, known for his tough stance on crime, shared dramatic footage of the prisoners being led into the facility. CECOT is notorious for its overcrowded conditions and brutal treatment of inmates, with reports of prisoners spending up to 24 hours a day locked in their cells, with minimal food and frequent violent clashes between rival gangs over basic resources.

Trump’s tough border czar, Tom Homan, applauded the deportations, calling the operation a victory for U.S. safety. “Last night, 238 Tren de Aragua members along with 21 MS-13 gang members were deported from this country,” Homan posted on X, adding, “Under President Trump’s leadership, this country is becoming safer every day.”

The deportation of these gang members is part of Trump’s broader strategy to dismantle criminal organizations operating both within the U.S. and abroad. Bukele, who brokered an agreement with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to house these criminals in exchange for a relatively low fee, is using the deportations to further his war on organized crime. Bukele stated that the removal of MS-13 members would help gather vital intelligence, allowing El Salvador to target the last remnants of the gang’s operations, including their money, weapons, and collaborators.

In return for taking in these dangerous individuals, Bukele has committed to making El Salvador’s prison system self-sustaining while strengthening the country’s fight against organized crime. This cooperation between the U.S. and El Salvador signals a growing alliance in the battle against transnational criminal organizations that threaten both nations.

While Trump’s decision has drawn praise from conservative circles, it has also ignited controversy. Judge Boasberg’s temporary restraining order, issued after an emergency hearing, demands that any deported criminals be immediately returned to the U.S. The judge’s ruling is an attempt to block the administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to expedite the removal of gang members. This act, first invoked during World War II, had been dormant for decades until Trump’s administration revived it to address the growing threat posed by gang violence.

Under Trump’s leadership, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has made significant strides in targeting criminal migrants, with over 32,000 arrests. Of those arrested, more than 14,000 are convicted criminals, and 10,000 face pending charges. Trump’s aggressive immigration policies continue to challenge the courts and provoke heated debate, but his stance remains clear: protecting American citizens from violent criminals is his top priority.

As the legal battle over deportations and gang removals continues, one thing is certain: Trump’s administration will not back down in its fight to protect American communities from dangerous criminal elements. And with El Salvador’s cooperation, the Trump team is sending a strong message: America will not tolerate gang violence, no matter where it originates.