ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act on Saturday to remove Venezuelan nationals deemed to be members of Tren de Aragua (TdA), a group designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by Washington.

Trump said the group is "perpetrating, attempting, and threatening an invasion or predatory incursion against the territory of the United States."

The proclamation targets "all Venezuelan citizens 14 years of age or older who are members of TdA" who are in the US and are not naturalized citizens or lawful permanent residents, declaring them "liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies."

It prohibits TdA members from entering or being found within any territory subject to the jurisdiction of the US.

The directive authorizes "immediate apprehension, detention, and removal" of individuals falling under the order and prohibits their residence in the US.

It also allows for the seizure and forfeiture of property "used, intended to be used, or commonly used to perpetrate the hostile activity and irregular warfare" of the gang.

The proclamation comes as a federal judge on Saturday blocked the Trump administration's plan to use the 1798 law to expedite the deportation of five Venezuelan nationals. A remote hearing is scheduled where the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will seek to expand the order to protect others potentially affected.

The Alien Enemies Act is a wartime law that allows the president to detain or deport non-citizens from "hostile" nations.

Trump has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to prepare and publish a policy letter within 60 days and distribute it to federal and state judicial officials and governors throughout the country.