Attorney General Jackley Commends Federal Court Denial Of Appeal to Deport Members of Violent Venezuelan Gang

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878   

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley commends the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for its decision to dismiss an appeal brought by suspected members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, who were trying to avoid removal from the United States by the Trump administration.

“We must ensure that violent offenders are not allowed to enter or remain in the country. President Trump has the authority to remove such individuals, and the Court has affirmed that authority,” said Attorney General Jackley.

Attorney General Jackley was part of a 24-Attorneys General coalition that filed a brief supporting President Trump’s authority to remove members of a foreign gang from the United States. The brief argued that the power to remove noncitizens under the Alien Enemies Act rests within the President’s national security responsibilities.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson led the coalition. Other Attorneys General were from: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

The ruling can be found here: https://www.scag.gov/media/wrrkzpou/wmm-v-trump-motion-to-file-en-banc-amicus-brief-filed.pdf

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