Washington, Mar 16 (UNI) A federal judge on Saturday barred U.S. President Donald Trump's administration from invoking the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport five Venezuelan nationals from the United States, local media reported.

The White House issued a presidential proclamation earlier in the day targeting Venezuelan members of Tren de Aragua gang, saying the country was facing an "invasion" from the "foreign terrorist organization."

Hours later, Judge James Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order for 14 days.

Boasberg's decision came in response to a lawsuit filed the same day by the American Civil Liberties Union and Democracy Forward. The organizations charged that the Trump administration unlawfully invoked the Alien Enemies Act, local media reported.

The act has only ever been used three times before, all during wars.

Reports indicate that by invoking the wartime act, the Trump administration can deport any migrant it identifies as a member of the gang without going through regular immigration proceedings, and can also remove other protections under criminal law for people it targets.

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