By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court refused Wednesday to lift an order barring the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador under an 18th century wartime law. A split three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D istrict of Columbia Circuit upheld a March 15 order temporarily prohibiting deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Related Articles Turkish student at Tufts University detained, video shows masked people handcuffing her Congressional Republicans target PBS, NPR funding in contentious hearing Trump’s executive order on elections is far-reaching. But will it actually stick? The ‘state secrets privilege’ sounds mysterious. Here’s what it is and how it works Tesla is suing to open dealerships in Wisconsin. It’s become a big deal in the Supreme Court race Invoking the law for the first time since World War II, President Donald Trump’s administration deported hundreds of people under a presidential proclamation calling the Tren de Aragua gang an invading force. The Justice Department appealed after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg blocked more deportations and ordered planeloads of Venezuelan immigrants to return to the U.S. That did not happen. Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit on behalf of five Venezuelan noncitizens who were being held in Texas. The case has become a flashpoint amid escalating tension between the White House and the federal courts. ...read more read less