A federal judge has halted former President Donald Trump’s attempt to use a 227-year-old wartime law to carry out mass deportations of Venezuelans, a move that has sparked intense legal and political debate.
On Saturday, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, arguing that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua was conducting “irregular warfare” against the United States. His proclamation sought to deport all Venezuelans aged 14 and older who were not lawful residents and were suspected of being affiliated with the gang. However, US District Judge James Boasberg swiftly issued a 14-day block on deportations under this order, citing concerns over its legal basis.
The law in question, last used during World War II to intern Japanese Americans, allows the president to detain and expel foreign nationals from hostile nations during wartime. However, Judge Boasberg noted that Trump’s interpretation stretched beyond its historical usage, as the United States has not declared war on Venezuela, nor is Tren de Aragua a recognized enemy state.
At the time of the ruling, planes carrying Venezuelan deportees were reportedly in the air, with some reports suggesting they were ordered to turn back. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other rights groups had already filed lawsuits challenging the legality of Trump’s proclamation before it was issued.
Legal experts argue that Trump already has significant deportation powers under immigration laws and that invoking the Alien Enemies Act was an attempt to bypass due process. Critics warn that such a move could enable broad detentions and deportations based not on criminal activity, but on nationality.
This legal battle could now move through the courts, potentially reaching the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters view this as a decisive step in his immigration crackdown, a key promise
