in effect
This is a Presidential Proclamation (Proclamation 10903, signed March 14, 2025, published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2025). In it, the President invokes the Alien Enemies Act — an old wartime law (50 U.S.C. 21) — against the gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), declaring that the group is carrying out an “invasion” or “predatory incursion” of the United States. It directs federal officials to apprehend, detain, and remove members of that group.
The proclamation formally declares that Venezuelan citizens age 14 or older who are members of TdA, are inside the U.S., and are not naturalized citizens or lawful permanent residents can be arrested, held, and deported as “Alien Enemies.” It states such members are not eligible for certain protections under 50 U.S.C. 22 and orders their immediate apprehension, detention, and removal, with no permission to reside in the U.S. It sets a 60-day deadline for the Attorney General to publish a signed policy letter and send it to the Chief Justice, chief judges of every federal appeals, district, and territorial court, and to each state and territorial governor and top judicial officer. It also establishes rules allowing summary (expedited) apprehension anywhere under U.S. jurisdiction, detention until removal at government-directed locations, and seizure and forfeiture of property tied to the group’s activity. The Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security are told to carry this out, may issue immediately effective guidance, and may enlist federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and D.C. agents to help.
The people directly targeted are alleged TdA members who are Venezuelan citizens 14 or older, present in the U.S., and not naturalized citizens or lawful permanent residents — they become subject to arrest, detention, and deportation. The Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and executive agencies are tasked with enforcement, and are directed to coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement. Courts and state officials nationwide are looped in through the required notification letter.