The Trump administration has transferred hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador even as a federal judge issued an order temporarily barring the deportations under an 18th century wartime declaration targeting Venezuelan gang members.

After a flurry of litigation, a federal judge on Saturday stalled the Trump administration's plan to carry out mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, a sweeping 18th century law that expands the president's powers.

Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act against Tren de Aragua members. A federal judge later ordered the administration to turn around any planes that had already taken off.

The Trump administration has deported alleged members of a Venezuelan gang from the U.S. despite a court order forbidding it from doing so, saying in an extraordinary statement that a judge did not have the authority to block its actions.