Washington, Mar 17 (UNI) The U.S. administration deported nearly 300 people who it says are members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang to El Salvador over the weekend, according to a White House statement released Sunday.

Calling TdA a "direct threat" to the national security of the United States, the statement accused the gang of "some of the most heinous crimes" that have occurred on U.S. soil in recent years.

"Thanks to the great work of the Department of State, these heinous monsters were extracted and removed to El Salvador, where they will no longer be able to pose any threat to the American people," it said.

The U.S. administration on Saturday invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 against TdA, saying the country was facing an "invasion" from the "foreign terrorist organisation."

By invoking the wartime act, the administration can deport any migrant it identifies as a member of the gang without going through regular immigration proceedings, local media reported.

UNI XINHUA ARN