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Suspected members of the Venezuelan gang known as Trende Aragua will reportedly be subjected to a new directive issued by the Trump administration
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A memo from the Department of Justice obtained by USA Today outlines instructions for law enforcement officials nationwide on how to handle these suspects
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such as entering their homes in certain situations without a judicial warrant
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This directive dated March 14th and signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi references the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a law the Trump administration invoked previously to carry out deportations
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The memo also states immigrants designated as alien enemies are not entitled to a hearing, appeal or judicial review and provides a guide assigning point values to suspected gang affiliation, including criminal records, communication with gang members and certain types of clothing, graffiti or hand signs
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A day after the directive was issued, more than 200 Venezuelan nationals were flown to El Salvador's terrorism confinement center, a move immigration authorities have defended, stating the removals are based on law enforcement intelligence and criminal histories
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histories. However, legal experts and immigration advocates have claimed the administration's tactics amount to an abuse of due process, and temporary restraining orders have been issued by
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federal courts in Colorado, Texas, and New York, blocking some deportations. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has yet to rule broadly on whether the Alien Enemies Act grants
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the president authority to deport alleged members of foreign criminal groups. But earlier this month
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the court did rule that detainees must have an opportunity to challenge the removal in court
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For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey