In a significant legal setback for President Trump, a federal judge has halted his efforts to utilize the 1798 Alien Enemies Act for mass deportations of Venezuelans, citing constitutional limitations.**
Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Controversial Deportation Plan Using Historic Law**
Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Controversial Deportation Plan Using Historic Law**
A federal ruling prevents Trump from mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, sparking legal battles ahead.**
The ongoing saga of President Donald Trump's immigration policies took a dramatic turn as a federal judge intervened to block the use of a historic law aimed at facilitating mass deportations. US District Judge James Boasberg ruled on Saturday that Trump could not invoke the 227-year-old Alien Enemies Act in order to deport members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, whom Trump had categorized as conducting "irregular warfare" against the US.
The judge's halt on deportations is set for 14 days, following reports that flights carrying deportees were already en route. Evaluating the scope of the law—a relic that allows wartime detentions without due process—the judge emphasized that its application is limited to actual hostilities from enemy nations and was historically used during World War Two against Japanese Americans.
Trump’s proclamation declared Tren de Aragua was instigating an "invasion" of the US, a claim that was quickly challenged in court by the American Civil Liberties Union and other activist groups. They have raised concerns over the unprecedented nature of using such a law for deportations without substantive evidence of gang membership or wrongdoing.
At a recent hearing, Judge Boasberg articulated doubts regarding the legal foundation of Trump’s proclamation, especially the definitions employed such as "invasion." Legal experts assert that utilizing the Alien Enemies Act not only circumvents established immigration processes but appears aimed at broad, indiscriminate deportations based solely on lineage rather than proven association with criminal activities.
As the case progresses, it's likely to gain traction within the legal system, potentially culminating in a Supreme Court decision. Trump's supporters, who previously rallied behind his stringent immigration platform, may view this legal push as a galvanizing moment. The administration has moved rapidly to restructure the US immigration framework since its inception, further complicating the evolving landscape of immigration law and enforcement in America.
The judge's halt on deportations is set for 14 days, following reports that flights carrying deportees were already en route. Evaluating the scope of the law—a relic that allows wartime detentions without due process—the judge emphasized that its application is limited to actual hostilities from enemy nations and was historically used during World War Two against Japanese Americans.
Trump’s proclamation declared Tren de Aragua was instigating an "invasion" of the US, a claim that was quickly challenged in court by the American Civil Liberties Union and other activist groups. They have raised concerns over the unprecedented nature of using such a law for deportations without substantive evidence of gang membership or wrongdoing.
At a recent hearing, Judge Boasberg articulated doubts regarding the legal foundation of Trump’s proclamation, especially the definitions employed such as "invasion." Legal experts assert that utilizing the Alien Enemies Act not only circumvents established immigration processes but appears aimed at broad, indiscriminate deportations based solely on lineage rather than proven association with criminal activities.
As the case progresses, it's likely to gain traction within the legal system, potentially culminating in a Supreme Court decision. Trump's supporters, who previously rallied behind his stringent immigration platform, may view this legal push as a galvanizing moment. The administration has moved rapidly to restructure the US immigration framework since its inception, further complicating the evolving landscape of immigration law and enforcement in America.
