WASHINGTON: The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a temporary halt on President Donald Trump’s enforcement of an old law aimed at deporting Venezuelan migrants without allowing them court hearings, marking a significant blow to his strict immigration policy.
This emergency ruling reflects dissent from two of the court’s conservative justices among the total of nine members.
The ruling prevents the government from expelling migrants under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act — a law that was previously used to detain Japanese-American citizens during World War II.
Last month, Trump cited this law to deport Venezuelans to a notorious prison in El Salvador that houses many of the country’s gang members.
The Supreme Court’s decision was prompted by imminent plans to deport a large number of Venezuelans under this act, procedures that would have bypassed evidence presentation or case challenges.
The court ordered that “the government must not remove any member of the proposed class of detainees from the United States until further notice.”
Trump claims that the swift expulsions and the detention of people in El Salvador are part of his efforts to crack down on violent Venezuelan gangs, which the U.S. government has labeled as terrorists.
However, critics argue that this policy undermines the U.S. Constitution, suggesting it is part of Trump’s broader agenda to consolidate power.
The discussion surrounding the Alien Enemies Act occurs alongside the administration’s intense actions against prominent law firms, Harvard University, and influential independent media outlets.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which played a vital role in opposing the planned deportations, welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision.
“These individuals were facing the dire prospect of spending their lives in a brutal foreign prison without ever having been able to present their case in court,” stated attorney Lee Gelernt.
On Saturday, the government submitted a motion to the Supreme Court urging that it should not be barred from employing the Alien Enemies Act to remove individuals it deems terrorists.
The administration also requested that if blocked, the court should acknowledge that deportations could proceed under alternative laws.
Tattoos and Due Process
Trump secured the presidency last November, largely based on his vows to counter what he characterized as an invasion by criminal immigrants.
His inflammatory language regarding rapists and murderers threatening suburban neighborhoods resonated with many voters alarmed by the rates of illegal immigration.
He has deployed troops to the Mexican border, levied tariffs on Mexico and Canada for not doing enough to control illegal crossings, and classified gangs such as Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as terrorist organizations.
Laura Loomer, a right-wing commentator close to Trump, stated that the president was being “gracious” by choosing to fly undocumented individuals out rather than having them “shot at the border.”
Democrats and civil rights advocates have expressed concern over the erosion of constitutional protections.
Under Trump’s application of the Alien Enemies Act, previously invoked only during the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II, migrants have been accused of gang affiliation and sent to El Salvador without a judicial hearing or formal charges.
Trump has also mentioned he would consider relocating American citizens found guilty of violent offenses to the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador.
Attorneys for several already-deported Venezuelans have claimed their clients were primarily targeted based on their tattoos.
In one of the most high-profile cases, Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported last month to CECOT before the Trump administration admitted it was due to an “administrative error.”
Even after a court mandated that the Trump administration arrange for Abrego Garcia’s return, Trump has remained steadfast in labeling him as a gang member, even posting what appeared to be a manipulated image on social media depicting MS-13 inked on his knuckles.
As legal challenges against these policies continue to mount, the president and his supporters have repeatedly targeted what they describe as “activist” judges.
In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling halting the deportations, right-wing commentator Jesse Kelly urged his followers to “disregard the Supreme Court.”
