Alleged Venezuelan gang members were deported from the U.S. under the Trump administration amid a judge issuing a court order against it. NBC News' Danny Cevallos breaks down the legality of the deportations used with the Alien Enemies Act.

On Saturday, President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged Tren de Aragua gang members. This law has been used three times in U.S. history—during the War of 1812, World War I and World War II.

Enforcing contempt sanctions is carried out by the U.S. Marshals Service, a Department of Justice body within the executive branch. Some have speculated that if the Trump administration chose not to comply with a court order, it could also direct the Marshals to not comply with enforcing any sanctions, deepening a crisis.

President Donald Trump acknowledged he does not have the authority to defy a court order as his administration deported hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador despite a federal judge temporarily blocking the flights.