President Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II, granting himself sweeping powers under a centuries-old law to deport people associated with a Venezuelan gang. Hours later, a federal judge halted deportations under Trump's order.
The act is a sweeping wartime authority that allows non-citizens to be deported without being given the opportunity to go before an immigration or federal court judge.
Trump repeatedly hinted during his campaign that he would declare extraordinary powers to confront illegal immigration and laid additional groundwork in a slew of executive orders on Jan. 20.

President Donald Trump speaks Friday at the Justice Department in Washington.
His proclamation on Saturday identified Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang as an invading force. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, blocked anyone from being deported under Trump's proclamation for two weeks and scheduled a Friday hearing to consider arguments.
People are also reading…
What is the Alien Enemies Act?
In 1798, with the U.S. preparing for what it believed would be a war with France, Congress passed a series of laws that increased the federal government's reach. Worried that immigrants could sympathize with the French, the Alien Enemies Act was created to give the president wide powers to imprison and deport non-citizens in time of war.
Since then, the act has been used just three times: during the War of 1812, World War I and World War II.
During World War II, with anti-foreigner fears sweeping the country, it was part of the legal rationale for mass internment in the U.S. of people of German, Italian and especially Japanese ancestry. An estimated 120,000 people with Japanese heritage, including those with U.S. citizenship, were incarcerated during the war.
What brought this to a head on a Saturday?
The American Civil Liberties Union and Democracy Forward preemptively sued Trump late Friday in federal court in Washington, D.C., saying five Venezuelan men being held at an immigration detention center in Raymondville, Texas, were at "imminent risk of removal" under the Alien Enemies Act. Boasberg blocked their deportation, prompting an immediate appeal from the Justice Department.
Almost simultaneously, the Trump administration agreed to pay El Salvador $6 million to imprison about 300 alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang for one year.
The agreement with El Salvador followed discussions between that country's president, Nayib Bukele, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about housing migrants in El Salvador's notorious prisons. Bukele's government has arrested more than 84,000 people, sometimes without due process, since 2022 in a crackdown on gang violence.
ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt said two flights Saturday may have carried people deported under Trump's proclamation, one to El Salvador and one possibly to Honduras. Boasberg said any such flights would have to be returned midair to the United States.
The US isn't at war, is it?
For years, Trump and his allies have argued that America is facing an "invasion" of people arriving illegally. Arrests on the U.S. border with Mexico topped 2 million a year for two straight years for the first time under President Joe Biden, with many released into the U.S. to pursue asylum. After hitting an all-time monthly high of 250,000 in December 2023, they plunged to less than 8,400 this February — the lowest levels since the 1960s.
The act, Trump said in his inaugural address, would be a key tool in his immigration crackdown.
"By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, I will direct our government to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to U.S. soil," he said. "As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions."
Critics say Trump is wrongly using the act to target non-state actors, not foreign governments.
"Invoking it in peacetime to bypass conventional immigration law would be a staggering abuse," the Brennan Center for Justice wrote, calling it "at odds with centuries of legislative, presidential, and judicial practice."
"Summary detentions and deportations under the law conflict with contemporary understandings of equal protection and due process," the Brennan Center said.
Does illegal immigration constitute an invasion?
It's a new and untested argument. Trump has warned of the power of Latin American criminal gangs in the U.S., but only a tiny percentage of the people living illegally in the U.S. are criminals.
Trump, in his wartime declaration on Saturday, said Tren de Aragua "is perpetrating, attempting, and threatening an invasion of predatory incursion against the territory of the United States." He said the gang was engaged in "irregular warfare" against the United States at the direction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Tren de Aragua originated in an infamously lawless prison in the central state of Aragua and accompanied an exodus of millions of Venezuelans, the overwhelming majority of whom were seeking better living conditions after their nation's economy came undone last decade.
Last month, the Trump administration designated Tren de Aragua and seven other Latin American crime organizations as "foreign terrorist organizations," upping pressure on cartels operating in the U.S. and on anyone aiding them.
Congress' research arm said in a report last month officials may use the foreign terrorist designations to argue the gang's activities in the U.S. amount to a limited invasion. "This theory appears to be unprecedented and has not been subject to judicial review," the Congressional Research Service said.
The Venezuelan government has not typically taken its people back from the U.S., except on a few occasions. Over the past few weeks, about 350 people were deported to Venezuela, including some 180 who spent up to 16 days at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
___
Associated Press writer Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report.
PHOTOS: A look at immigration and the US border with Mexico

The U.S. Border with Mexico is seen in an aerial view Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, near San Diego. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The U.S. Border with Mexico is seen in an aerial view Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, near San Diego. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

An Army soldier looks at the border wall while providing security to the visit of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the US-Mexico border in Sunland Park, N.M., Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The Anapra neighborhood of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, is seen behind the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The Anapra neighborhood of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, is seen behind the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Freight trains ride adjacent to the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The U.S.-Mexico border wall is seen Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Members of the Mexican National Guard patrol next to the U.S.-Mexico border wall Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A U.S. Marine Osprey is flown over the border Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, near San Diego. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The U.S. Border with Mexico is seen in an aerial view Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, near San Diego. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The U.S. Border with Mexico is seen in an aerial view Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, near San Diego. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Gunnery Sgt. Derek Levi, right, looks down at the U.S. Mexico border aboard a Marines helicopter Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, near San Diego. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A U.S. Marine Osprey is flown over the border Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, near San Diego. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The U.S. Border with Mexico is seen in an aerial view Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, near San Diego. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Tents fill the Juventud 2000 shelter Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A woman looks at her phone at the Juventud 2000 shelter Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Pablo Jose Alvarado holds a paper showing his canceled appointment with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol at a shelter Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Antonio Neri and his daughters, Evelyn and Melina, from left to right, wait at the Agape Mundial shelter Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. The family have been at the shelter since March 2024 after fleeing violence in Mexico. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A child wrapped in a blanket walks through the Agape Mundial shelter Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

From left to right, Evelyn, Melina and Reina wait at the Agape Mundial shelter Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

People walk near the U.S.-Mexico border wall Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Workers begin the installation of a temporary shelter for possible deportees from the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)

Workers begin the installation of a temporary shelter for possible deportees from the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)

A Border Patrol agent walks towards a gap in one of two border walls separating Mexico from the United States, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A Border Patrol agent looks through binoculars towards two border walls separating Mexico from the United States, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Border Patrol vehicles drive along two border walls separating Mexico from the United States Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A Border Patrol agent walks past four men detained after crossing the border illegally in a gap in two walls separating Mexico from the United States before turning themselves in, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A gap in one of two border walls separating Mexico from the United States is seen Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Workers construct temporary shelters for possible deportees from the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)

Workers construct temporary shelters for possible deportees from the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)

Construction crews replace sections of one of two border walls separating Mexico from the United States, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A member of the Mexican National Guard stands guard, left, as construction crews replace sections of one of two border walls separating Mexico from the United States, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Construction crews replace sections of one of two border walls separating Mexico from the United States, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Migrants eat at a shelter Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A migrant woman from the Mexican state of Guerrero holds her 1-year-old granddaughter as she hits a piñata of President Donald Trump at a shelter for migrants Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A migrant woman from the Mexican state of Guerrero walks among tents at a migrant shelter Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Workers begin the installation of a temporary shelter for possible deportees from the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)

Migrants who were deported from the U.S. to Mexico wave as they are transported to a shelter, as they cross El Chaparral pedestrian border bridge in Tijuana, Mexico, late Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Migrants walk back into Mexico after being deported from the U.S., at El Chaparral pedestrian border bridge in Tijuana, Mexico, late Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Migrants walk into Mexico after being deported from the U.S. at El Chaparral pedestrian border bridge in Tijuana, Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Dogs are near a border wall separating Mexico from the United States Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Volunteers talk in a tent along a border wall separating Mexico from the United States Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Members of the Mexican National Guard patrol as construction crews replace sections of one of two border walls separating Mexico from the United States, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A sign reading "Augustana is a Sanctuary" is displayed on a door at the Augustana Lutheran Church, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Members of the Mexican National Guard patrol as construction crews replace sections of one of two border walls separating Mexico from the United States, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A Border Patrol is parked along the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A yucca plant is backdropped by the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The dry flower spike of a yucca plant is backdropped by the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Palm trees are reflected as the sun sets along the border, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Hidalgo, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A Border Patrol agent keeps watch along the border wall at sunset, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Hidalgo, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Concertina wire tops a section of a border wall separating Mexico from the United States Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Concertina wire tops a section of a border wall separating Mexico from the United States Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Migrants who were deported from the U.S. stand on El Chaparral pedestrian border bridge in Tijuana, Mexico, late Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Migrants who were deported from the U.S. to Mexico wave as they are transported to a shelter, as they cross El Chaparral pedestrian border bridge in Tijuana, Mexico, late Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Migrants enter Mexico along El Chaparral pedestrian border bridge in Tijuana, Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, after being deported from the U.S. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

The border wall between Mexico, left, and the United States is pictured in Sunland Park, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A Border Patrol truck rides along the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A Border Patrol truck rides along the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A truck is seen at the top of a hill along the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A truck rides on the Mexico side of the border wall as seen from Sunland Park, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A Border Patrol truck rides along the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The border wall is pictured in Sunland Park, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The dry flower spike of a yucca plant is backdropped by the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A group of migrants wait to be processed between two border walls separating Mexico and the United States after crossing illegally before dawn Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A group of migrants wait to be processed between two border walls separating Mexico and the United States after crossing illegally before dawn Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Danielle Cosmes, a volunteer with American Friends Service Committee, stands in a tent with food, water and information to offer to migrants seeking asylum along a section of the border walls separating Mexico and the United States where hundreds arrived daily a year ago, but is now usually nearly vacant, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A Border Patrol van transports a group of migrants after they crossed illegally and waiting to apply for asylum between two border walls separating Mexico and the United States, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A group of migrants wait to be processed between two border walls separating Mexico and the United States after crossing illegally before dawn Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A group of migrants wait to be processed between two border walls separating Mexico and the United States after crossing illegally before dawn Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Migrants wait to apply for asylum between two border walls separating Mexico and the United States after crossing illegally, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A Border Patrol Agent moves along a stretch of boarder wall, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Brownsville, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A Border Patrol Agent patrols along a stretch of boarder wall, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Brownsville, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A member of the National Guard patrols along a stretch of border wall, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Brownsville, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A truck passes a stretch of boarder wall, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Brownsville, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The border wall is pictured in the Sunland Park area of New Mexico, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The Anapra neighborhood of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, is pictured behind the border wall from the Sunland Park area of New Mexico, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Migrants with CBP One application appointments to apply for asylum in the United States look on after their appointments were declared not valid on the application Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico, shortly after President Donald Trump was sworn-in. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A girl from the Mexican state of Morelia sleeps in front of a sign for Tijuana as her family's CBP One application appointments to apply for asylum in the United States were declared not valid on the application Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico, shortly after President Donald Trump was sworn-in. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Members of the Mexican National Guard patrol along the border wall separating Mexico and the United States, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Members of the Mexican National Guard patrol along the border wall separating Mexico and the United States, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A band serenades two women near where the border wall separating Mexico and the United States reaches the Pacific Ocean Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

People cross the border into Mexico from the United States, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Migrants seeking asylum leave an immigration office after their scheduled meetings were canceled and they were turned away soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum in the United States load into a taxi after immigration officers turned them away from their scheduled meeting soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Marcela Medina and her husband Enrique Corea of Venezuela react to seeing that their appointment was canceled on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app, as they wait near the border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, Jan. 20. 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A sign regarding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is posted on the window of a corner store on the day of President Trump's Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in the predominantly Latino Little Village neighborhood Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

A family walk back into Mexico after being deported at the border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, Jan. 20. 2025. The family had been in detention for a week and their deportation was finalized today. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Roxana, a migrant from Chiapas, Mexico, hands a child a drink at El Buen Samaritano shelter, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)

Migrants pray before receiving a meal at El Buen Samaritano shelter, in Ciudad Juarez, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)

A train travels adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico border wall in Sunland Park, New Mexico, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The sun sets behind the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A Border Patrol truck rides along the border wall in Sunland Park, N.M., Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Sylvia Martinez and her daughter Maria of El Salvador, hug and get emotional as they see that their afternoon appointment was canceled on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app, at the border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, Jan. 20. 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Migrants live in a tent encampment by the Vallejo train tracks in Mexico City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

A migrant talks on his cell phone at a tent camp set up next to the Vallejo train tracks in Mexico City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

A volunteer with a pro-migrant organization shows the updated message of the CBP One app advising the cancellations of existing appointments for migrants that were scheduled to enter the United States on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A migrant seeking asylum holds up the CBP One app showing his appointment was canceled after President Donald Trump was sworn into office, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum in the United States load into a taxi after immigrations turned them away from their scheduled meeting soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum in the United States load into a taxi after immigration officers turned them away from their scheduled meetings soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum in the United States wait for a taxi after immigrations officers turned them away from their scheduled meetings soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum leave an immigration office after their scheduled meetings were canceled and they were turned away soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum leave an immigration office after their scheduled meetings were canceled and they were turned away soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum leave an immigration office after their scheduled meetings were canceled and they were turned away soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum in the United States load into a taxi after immigration officers turned them away from their scheduled meetings soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum in the United States load into a taxi after immigration officers turned them away from their scheduled meetings soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum leave an immigration office after their scheduled meetings were canceled and they were turned away soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum leave an immigration office after their scheduled meetings were canceled and they were turned away soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Colombian migrant Margelis Tinoco, 48, left, cries after her CBP One appointment was canceled at the Paso del Norte international bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on the border with the U.S., Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)

Colombian migrant Margelis Tinoco, 48, cries after her CBP One appointment was canceled at the Paso del Norte international bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on the border with the U.S., Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)

A young Venezuelan migrant with a toy gun plays with other children at a migrant tent camp outside La Soledad church in Mexico City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Young Venezuelan migrants play with toy cars and guns at a migrant tent camp outside La Soledad church in Mexico City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Melanie Mendoza of Venezuela, gets emotional as she sees that her 1pm appointment was canceled on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app, as she and her family wait at the border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, Jan. 20. 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

CORRECTS COUNTRY SPELLING Maria Mercado, who is from Colombia but arrived from Ecuador, gets emotional as she sees that her 1pm appointment was canceled on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app, as she and her family wait at the border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, Jan. 20. 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Maria Mercado, who is from Colombia but arrived from Ecuador, gets emotional as she sees that her 1pm appointment was canceled on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app, as she and her family wait at the border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, Jan. 20. 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Maria Mercado, who is from Colombia but arrived from Ecuador, gets emotional as she sees that her 1pm appointment was canceled on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app, as she and her family wait in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, Jan. 20. 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A group of people react as they see that their appointments were canceled on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app, as they arrive at the border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, Jan. 20. 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Migrants with appointments wait to present their documents to U.S. immigration agents as part of their asylum applications at the Paso del Norte international bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on the border with the U.S., Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)

A Venezuelan migrant collects water at a migrant tent camp outside La Soledad church in Mexico City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Venezuelan migrant Yuslay Rodriguez share a hug with her daughter and friends after entering the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through the Paso del Norte bridge, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Venezuelan migrants Yuslay Rodriguez, left, and her daughter Camila Torrealba become emotional while having a video chat with relatives in their home country after entering the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through the Paso del Norte bridge, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Venezuelan migrants from left; Yuslay Rodriguez, Sofia Ferrer, Camila Torrealba and Ruthmervis Tiamo have a video chat with relatives in their home country after entering the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through the Paso del Norte bridge, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Venezuelan migrants from left; Oldris Rodriguez, Daniela Medina, Josue Fernandez and Jilbelis Sequera celebrate after entering the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through the Paso del Norte bridge, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in El Paso, Texas.(AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Venezuelan migrants Ruthmervis Tiamo, right, and her daughter Sofia Ferrer become emotional while having a video chat with relatives in their home country after entering the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through the Paso del Norte bridge, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Migrants share a hug after entering the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through the Paso del Norte bridge, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Colombian migrant Daniela Medina, right, checks her immigration papers after entering the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through the Paso del Norte bridge, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A migrant family from Michoacan, Mexico wait for transportation after entering the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through the Paso del Norte bridge, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Venezuelan migrants Daniela Medina, right, and Oldris Rodriguez hug in celebration after entering the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through the Paso del Norte bridge, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Migrants walk through Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico, in an attempt to reach the U.S. border, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente)

Migrants walk through Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico, in an attempt to reach the U.S. border, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente)

Migrants walk through Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico in an attempt to reach the U.S. border, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente)

Migrants walk past a Mexican immigration checkpoint as they arrive to Huehuetan, Chiapas state, Mexico, in an attempt to reach the U.S. border, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente)

Women and children migrants walk with a larger group of migrants through Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico, in an attempt to reach the U.S. border, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente)

Yender Romero, from Venezuela, uses his cell phone to listen to news on the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, at a migrant tent camp outside La Soledad church in Mexico City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Venezuelan migrant Yender Romero shows the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app on his cell phone, which he said he used to apply for asylum in the U.S. and is waiting on an answer, at a migrant tent camp outside La Soledad church in Mexico City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

A Venezuelan migrant wakes up at a migrant tent camp outside La Soledad church in Mexico City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Pedestrians arrive into downtown El Paso after crossing from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Volunteer Karen Parker places water bottles in an area where a year ago she would offer medical aid to large groups of migrants who had crossed the border illegally to apply for asylum but is now fairly desolate, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Volunteer Karen Parker places a trash bag in an area where a year ago she would offer medical aid to large groups of migrants who had crossed the border illegally to apply for asylum but is now fairly desolate, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Volunteer Karen Parker lights a cigarette next to the border wall separating Mexico and the United States where a year ago she would offer medical aid to large groups of migrants who had crossed the border illegally to apply for asylum, in Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Volunteer Karen Parker walks along a road next to the border wall separating Mexico and the United States where a year ago she would offer medical aid to large groups of migrants who had crossed the border illegally to apply for asylum, in Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Volunteer Karen Parker checks a water station along a road next to the border wall separating Mexico and the United States where a year ago she would offer medical aid to large groups of migrants who had crossed the border illegally to apply for asylum but is now fairly desolate, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Downtown El Paso, Texas is seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Pigeons fly over the Rio Grande river and the Paso del Norte bridge that connects Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Razor wire covers the banks of the Rio Grande river and the border wall in El Paso, Texas, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A purple cross placed on the Mexican side of the border with the United States is pictured with the border wall in the background hours before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Commuters wait in lines to cross over to El Paso, Texas from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico at the Paso del Norte bridge before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Roberto Peña sells handcrafted flowers to commuters waiting to cross over to El Paso, Texas, from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, at the Paso del Norte bridge Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Pedestrians cross into El Paso, Texas, from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, through the Paso del Norte bridge Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Migrants seeking asylum in the United States wait at Catholic Charity for humanitarian assistance and relief in McAllen, Texas, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum in the United States wait at Catholic Charity for humanitarian assistance and relief in McAllen, Texas, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Migrants seeking asylum in the United States wait at Catholic Charity for humanitarian assistance and relief in McAllen, Texas, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The words "see you soon Trump!" are written on a section of the wall separating Mexico and the United States where the border reaches the Pacific Ocean, days ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Santiago Lopez, of Mexico's southern state of Chiapas, walks past tents at a shelter for migrants days ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. After crossing illegally into the United States in the hopes of applying for asylum and being immediately deported in October 2024, Lopez has decided to give up his plan to get to the United States, and will be leaving the border city to take his family back south on the day President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A man talks on his phone as he looks through the wall separating Mexico and the United States where the border reaches the Pacific Ocean, days ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Commuters wait in lines to cross over to El Paso, Texas from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico at the Paso del Norte bridge before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A section of the border wall and road barriers are pictured during the visit of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Sunland Park, N.M., Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)