Texas joins legal battle to reverse court ruling halting President Trump’s deportation policy, citing urgent national security concerns over the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua

Austin, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking a stand alongside President Donald Trump in a legal battle over border security and national safety. Paxton has joined a coalition of state attorneys general in urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to reverse a district court ruling that blocks the Trump administration’s efforts to deport foreign nationals tied to the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA).

The controversy stems from President Trump’s decision on March 15 to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, a law dating back to 1798, to facilitate the removal of individuals connected to TdA. The gang has been linked to violent crimes, human trafficking, and drug smuggling operations that pose a significant threat to American communities. However, a federal judge issued a sweeping injunction that halted the administration’s plan—without allowing the government to fully present its case.

Attorney General Paxton, alongside his counterparts from other states, argues that the district court’s ruling is an overreach that undermines national security. In an amicus brief filed with the appellate court, the coalition contends that the president has clear legal authority to act under the Alien Enemies Act and that the judge’s decision unlawfully ties the hands of the federal government in addressing a pressing security concern.

Paxton did not mince words when addressing the situation, blaming liberal judicial interference for compromising public safety.

“Left-wing judicial activists are jeopardizing the safety of Americans by unconstitutionally interfering with President Trump’s lawful authority to execute the longstanding law of the land to protect this country from foreign terrorists,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton.

“For years, Texas suffered the consequences of Biden’s failure to secure the border, and now a liberal judge is attempting to stop President Trump from taking decisive action. A radical district court judge has no power to dictate foreign policy and national security, and I fully support President Trump’s effort to keep America safe,” Paxton added.

The legal dispute highlights a broader battle over immigration enforcement and executive authority. Paxton and his fellow attorneys general argue that the Alien Enemies Act grants the president broad discretion in dealing with foreign threats and that judicial obstruction in this matter sets a dangerous precedent. By allowing violent criminals to remain in the country, they contend, the ruling exposes American communities to unnecessary risk.

This case is likely to become a flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over immigration policy, judicial authority, and executive power. With the D.C. Circuit Court now set to weigh in, the outcome could shape future efforts to address security concerns tied to criminal organizations operating within U.S. borders.

To read the brief, click here.Top of Form