Trump Gains Temporary Approval to Enforce Alien Enemies Act
In a controversial legal decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed President Donald Trump to temporarily enforce the Alien Enemies Act, a centuries-old law originally passed in 1798. This act gives the president broad authority to deport non-citizens during times of war or when facing a national threat.
What Is the Alien Enemies Act?
The Alien Enemies Act was designed to allow the U.S. government to remove nationals of enemy countries during war or invasion. Trump’s administration argues that the presence of alleged Venezuelan gang members, such as those linked to Tren de Aragua, represents a modern-day “invasion,” thus justifying the law's use.
Supreme Court Backs Trump – For Now
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Trump, lifting a lower court’s temporary block and permitting rapid deportations under the act. However, it emphasized that deported individuals must be notified and given an opportunity to appeal through the legal system.
Trump hailed the decision as a victory for border security, claiming it reinforces presidential authority to protect the nation. His allies, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, called it a “landmark decision.”
Criticism from Liberal Justices
Three liberal justices — Sotomayor, Jackson, and Kagan — strongly dissented. Justice Sotomayor condemned the administration’s conduct, warning that its actions undermine judicial authority and due process. Justice Jackson criticized the use of the emergency docket without full arguments, referencing the controversial Korematsu decision during World War II.
Fast Deportations Already in Action
Trump’s administration has already deported over 200 Venezuelan nationals, sending them to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Officials claim these individuals are tied to organized crime, but critics question how these associations are verified.
There was also a major error: a Maryland father was wrongfully deported due to an administrative mistake. This raised concerns about the reliability and human impact of such rapid removals.
Legal Uncertainty Ahead
Though the Supreme Court sided with Trump, the broader case remains active in lower courts. A federal judge may soon decide whether enforcement of the Alien Enemies Act should be permanently halted.
The legal debate now focuses on the term “invasion”: was the law intended only for military conflict, or can mass immigration also qualify under its language?
This Supreme Court decision marks a significant moment in U.S. immigration law. Trump’s use of an 18th-century wartime act for modern deportations raises legal, ethical, and constitutional questions that could shape future immigration policy and presidential power.