Supreme Court Says Trump Cannot Resume Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

Published: Friday, May 16, 2025 at 9:00 pm

Supreme Court Blocks Trump's Deportation Efforts Under Wartime Law

The Supreme Court has dealt another blow to President Donald Trump's immigration policies, blocking his administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants. In a 7-2 decision issued Friday, the court sided with an injunction against the removal of Venezuelan nationals, citing insufficient time provided to detainees to challenge their deportation in court.

The Trump administration had attempted to use the rarely-invoked Alien Enemies Act, a law dating back to 1798, to swiftly deport migrants allegedly linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The law, typically reserved for wartime scenarios, allows for the deportation of individuals from a nation considered an enemy of the United States.

The court's unsigned decision did not explicitly rule on the legality of Trump's application of the Act, leaving that determination to an appeals court. However, the justices highlighted the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, emphasizing the significant consequences for the Venezuelan nationals. The administration has reportedly struggled to comply with court orders to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S.

The ruling follows a prior decision by District Court Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., who earlier this month blocked Trump from using the Act, arguing it was improperly applied. Judge Rodriguez stated that the law requires a threat of invasion or predatory incursion from a foreign country, which he argued was not present in this case.

Trump responded to the Supreme Court's decision on Truth Social, claiming the court was preventing the removal of criminals. Approximately 238 Venezuelans were deported under the Alien Enemies Act in March.

BNN's Perspective: This ruling underscores the importance of due process and the careful application of even long-standing laws. While concerns about national security and immigration are valid, the court's decision suggests a need for a more measured approach, ensuring individuals have the opportunity to challenge their removal and that legal precedents are followed. The use of a wartime law for deportations, particularly without clear justification, raises serious questions about the balance between security and individual rights.

Keywords: Supreme Court, Trump, deportation, Alien Enemies Act, Venezuelan nationals, immigration, Tren de Aragua, due process, legal challenge, wartime law, Fernando Rodriguez Jr., Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, immigration policy

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