A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from applying the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan migrants accused of having ties to the Tren de Aragua gang. In a 2\u20131 ruling, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the statute can only be used in cases of war, invasion, or other formally recognized hostilities \u2014 conditions the judges said do not currently exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Judge Leslie Southwick, writing for the majority and joined by Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez, said the administration had not shown the legal grounds to classify the situation as falling under the Act. Judge Andrew Oldham dissented, arguing that the executive branch should retain broader discretion to act during national security emergencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Alien Enemies Act, part of the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, grants the president authority to detain or remove nationals of hostile foreign powers during wartime. The Trump administration invoked it earlier this year, claiming Venezuelan gang activity posed such a threat. Opponents countered that using a wartime law in peacetime bypasses established immigration procedures and undermines due process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the court\u2019s order pauses removals under the Act, it left in place a seven-day period for individuals to contest deportations through standard immigration channels. The decision marks the first appellate review of the administration\u2019s approach, and the case is widely expected to advance to the Supreme Court for final resolution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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